Synthesis of biolubricant from various based methyl esters / Nurazreen Shazwin Kamarudin

Revolution and development towards mineral based lubricant has been widely consumed since few years back. Nevertheless, the consumption on these lubricants has turned out the negative impact to environment pollution and sources depletion. This issue has been raising the worldwide concern to establish a new generation of lubricant, in which made up of renewable and biodegradable sources. Recently, the research on biolubricant production has been emerged towards substitution on the existing lubricant. The purpose of this research is to emphasize on the production of eco-friendly biolubricant from various based methyl ester by using the process of two stages transesterification. Biolubricant derived from trimethylolpropane (TMP) and methyl ester based of waste cooking oil (WCOME) and rubber seed oil (RSOME) were synthesized via transesterification reaction in the three-necked bottom flask. 2 % (w/w) of para-Toluenesulfonic acid (p-TSA) was added as catalyst in the reaction. The transterification reaction parameters varied in the study such as time, temperature and molar ratio of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) to TMP. Analysis of resulting biolubricant was carried out by Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrophotometer (GCMS) system to determine the composition of the synthesized biolubricant while the presence of ester functional group was displayed by performing Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The synthesized lubricant were characterized according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard method based on these properties: Cloud point (ASTM D97), Point Pour point (ASTM D97), Specific gravity (ASTM D941-55) and Viscosity (ASTM D445). Experimental results has reviewed that the study did not successfully managed to produce TMP triester as the reaction mostly do not go to completion. These polyol based ester, however, exhibit suitable properties as it demonstrates comparable properties as a lubricant correspond to the standard lubricant ISO VG46.