Production and Characterization of Biolubricant from Cassia Sieberiana (Decandole) Seed Oil Using Transesterification Reaction

Abstract

Biolubricant is a biopolymer that can be used as a base oil in a variety of applications such as biomass and bioenergy. Hence, the objective of this paper is the production and characterization of biolubricant from Cassia sieberiana (Decandole) seed oil via two step transesterification reaction between methylesters and trimethylolpropane (TMP) at a molar ratio of 3.5: 1 with a catalyst of 0.8 % w/w of the total reactant at a temperature of 120 C for 2:30 hrs with a percentage yield of 93%. The physicochemical properties of the produced oil were determined by FTIR spectrum and GC-MS analysis. The viscosity (at 40 and 100) are 44.20 cSt and 7.82 cSt with pour point (-9 C), and viscosity index (148.04 cSt) respectively. The GCMS analysis revealed the fatty acid composition of the based oil as palmitic acid, linoleic acid, lineolaidic acid, stearic acid, and that of the biolubricant:  methyl oleate, 2-hydroxyl ethyl esters, and 22-tricosenoic acid with other traces of methyl ester. The analysis of the FTIR for the TMP triesters shows superior thermal and oxidative stability due to the ester functional group present. The produced oil was found to confirm with ISOVG viscose grade 32 and 46 for gear oil and other low temperature applications.