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Biorefinery approach for coconut oil valorisation: a statistical study
Abderrahim Bouaid1, Mercedes Martínez, José Aracil
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Bioresource Technology
|February 5, 2010
Summary
Coconut oil transesterification yields valuable low (LMWME) and high (HMWME) molecular weight fatty acid methyl esters. Optimized conditions produced 77.54% LMWME for biolubricants and 25.41% HMWME for biodiesel.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Engineering
- Green Chemistry
- Biomass Valorization
Background:
- Coconut oil is a promising feedstock for biorefining due to its unique fatty acid profile.
- Transesterification is a key process for converting oils into valuable chemical products.
- Separating fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) based on molecular weight allows for targeted applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To valorize coconut oil through a biorefinery approach using transesterification.
- To obtain and characterize low (LMWME) and high (HMWME) molecular weight fatty acid methyl esters.
- To optimize reaction conditions for maximizing the yield of desired FAME fractions.
Main Methods:
- Transesterification of coconut oil using methanol and potassium hydroxide catalyst.
- Factorial design and response surface methodology (RSM) for process optimization.
- Separation and characterization of LMWME and HMWME fractions.
Main Results:
- Methyl laurate was identified as the major component (78.30 wt.%) in the LMWME fraction.
- Optimized conditions yielded 77.54% conversion for LMWME at 0.9% catalyst and 42.5°C.
- Optimized conditions yielded 25.41% conversion for HMWME at 1% catalyst and 57°C.
Conclusions:
- Coconut oil can be effectively valorized into distinct LMWME and HMWME fractions via transesterification.
- LMWME holds potential for applications as biolubricants or biosolvents.
- The HMWME fraction can be utilized as biodiesel, meeting European standards.
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