Optimization of Biolubricant from Terminalia catappa (Almond) Seed Oil Using CaO Derived from Limestone as Catalyst

Abstract

This research aimed at developing a process optimization of biolubricant production that will be environmentally eco-friendly. Greater concern has been focused on the use of solid-base catalysts, such asalcium oxide from limestone, for the transesterification of vegetable oils. Limestone was pretreated and calcined to 900 °C for 5 hours to obtain calcium oxide (CaO). The tropical almond seed oil was extracted from the tropical almond seeds using the soxhlet extraction method with a yield of 53.91%. The biolubricant was produced via double transesterification of tropical almond seed oil with methanol andrimethylolpropane (TMP) under reflux at different reaction conditions. Optimization of process parameters for the transesterification of tropical almond seed oil was determined using a response surface based on Box-Beinkhen design. The optimum yield of the biolubricant, 81.9%, was achieved at a temperature of 150^oC, catalyst dose of 0.75 %wt and reaction time of 3 hours, respectively