Palm ethyl ester purification by using Choline Chloride-1,2 propanediol as deep eutectic solvent

Abstract

Deep eutectic solvent (DES) has gained more attention for using in biodiesel production because of environmental benefits and process improvements. This study was aimed to test the potency and effectiveness of Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) based choline chloride: 1.2-propanediol as co-solvent in biodiesel purification. The method used in preparing DES synthesis process was conducted by mixing choline chloride: 1.2-propanediol with mole ratio variation such as: 1:2 ; 1:2.5 ; 1:3 ; and 1:3.5 (mole/mole). The temperature of DES synthesis was at 80 ° C with 300 rpm stirring speed for 60 minutes. Variation of DES concentration base on percentage palm oil used: 1, 3, and 5 %. DES possible to increase the ethyl ester yield of biodiesel in the purification process. The best result of yield was 89.95% with the 9:1 molar ratio ethanol: oil and 5% of DES. The operation condition was at 70 ° C of temperature reaction, 400 rpm of stirring speed, and 90 minutes of reaction time.