Biodiesel Generation from Palm Kernel Biomass via an In-situ Transesterification Approach

This study investigated an in-situ transesterification of palm kernel biomass at variable reaction times (4 h, 5 h and 6 h) and catalyst loading (2 wt%, 3 wt.% and 5 wt.%). The biodiesel yields were observed to vary with these parameters. GC-MS analysis showed high fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) contents for all the prepared biodiesel samples (C-18:1, C-14:0, C-16:0, and C-18:0). 2 wt.% catalyst loading and 4 h reaction time were observed to be the best reaction conditions from the experimented parameters that gave the best biodiesel yield at 300 rpm mixing intensity. The in-situ method recorded a higher degree of oil extraction and efficient conversion of oil to biodiesel (93.93%) compared to the conventional transesterification method which gave 89.45%. The kinematic viscosity, acid value and iodine value of 3.96 mm2/s, 0.56 mg KOH g–1 and 120 g 100 g–1 were found to be within the limits of ASTM D6751-09 and EN14214 standards. These results confirm that efficient production of biodiesel from palm kernel biomass could be possible through an in-situ acidic transesterification process.  Keywords: Biodiesel, fatty acid methyl ester, palm kernel biomass, transesterificatio

Stabilizing Capability of Gum arabic on the Synthesis of Poly(Styrene-Methylmethacrylate-Acrylic Acid) Latex for the Generation of Colloidal Crystal Films

This article describes the generation and characterization of colloidal crystals from particles of gum arabic (GA) and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfate (SDBS) emulsified poly(styrene methylmethacrylate-acrylic acid) (P(St-MMA-AA) latex. The colloidal latex was synthesized using GA and SDBS as the emulsifying agents and then used to generate colloidal crystal films via the vertical deposition technique. Dynamic light scattering analysis placed the average particle diameter, polydispersity and Zeta potential at about 122 nm, 0.014 and –36.20 mV for the as-synthesized GA emulsified terpolymer latex and 213 nm, 0.006, –35.60 mV for the SDBS emulsified terpolymer latex, respectively. Thermo-gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry showed comparable thermal stability for both prepared terpolymer samples. Microscopic analysis showed that the latex particles possess a core-shell morphology which readily assembles into a well ordered hexagonal arrangement of spherical particles with manifold layers. This study, therefore, shows comparable properties of terpolymer prepared using gum arabic as emulsifier with terpolymer synthesized using SDBS which is a conventional emulsifier. Keywords: Gum Arabic; sodium dodecylbenzene sulphate; colloidal crystal films; morphology; emulsifie

Studies in the thermal stability of metal dicarboxylates

16-18Cadmium adipate and cadmium oxalate suitable for use as stabilizer for vinyl polymers were prepared by metathesis in aqueous alcohol solutions. The thermal stability of the carboxylates was measured gravimetrically at 443, 453 and 463K. Both cadmium adipate and cadmium oxalate showed less than 20% in weight indicating that they are relatively stable within this temperature range. Kinetic studies of the thermal decomposition of the dicarboxylates showed that the initial rate constant for the decomposition of cadmium adipate is higher than that of cadmium oxalate and they are of the order of magnitude of 10-2 min-1. The enthalpy, entropy and free energy of activation for the decomposition of the metal dicarboxylates were also determined

Opinion Article - Enhancing the quality of alkyd resins using methyl esters of rubber seed oil

Purpose: Alkyd resins constitute a very high proportion of conventional binders used in surface coatings. In order to enhance the quality of these alkyd resins methyl esters of rubber seed oil (MERSO) were used in the preparation of the resins. Methods: MERSO were obtained by in-situ alcoholysis of rubber seed. Alkyd resins having oil lengths of 45, 50 and 55% were prepared with MERSO, phthalic anhydride and glycerol using alcoholysis method. Lead (II) oxide and xylene were used as catalyst and refluxing solvent, respectively. The physico-chemical characteristics of the MERSO and the resins obtained were compared with the corresponding value of rubber seed oil (RSO) and its alkyd resins. Chemical resistance of the alkyd resins was also determined. Results: The acid value of the finished alkyd resins depends on the rate and extent of esterification. Iodine value of the alkyd shows that the level of unsaturation depends on the oil length of the resins. The free fatty acid (FFA) value (1.99%) of the MERSO was much lower than that of the RSO (9.54%). This supports the choice of methyl ester as a preferred alternative to the use of the raw RSO in alkyd resin preparation. All the alkyd samples were fairly resistant to brine, acid and water but poorly resistant to alkali. However, the MERSO alkyds were observed to have a better resistance than the RSO alkyd resins. The scratch/gouge pencil hardness shows that the hardness of the alkyd films decreases with the oil length