Production of biolubricant from Jatropha curcas seed oil

Abstract

Extracted Jatropha oil was analyzed for their chemical and physical properties such as density, acid value, % FFA, saponification value as well as viscosities at 40 and 100oC and viscosity index. The result of the analyses of the Jatropha oil reveals that it has a very high %FFA (14.6%). Reduction was achieved by esterification with methanol (to 0.44%). The method employed for the production of biolubricant involved two stages transesterification process, the first stage produced methyl ester of the oil and in the second stage; the methyl ester was transesterified with ethylene glycol to produce the biolubricant. Major lubricating properties of the product such as pour point, viscosities at 40°C and at 100°C, and the viscosity index were analyzed and found to have value of -7°C, 55.22 cSt, 10.96 cSt and 195.22 respectively. It was found that the biolubricant produced is comparable to the ISO VG-46 commercial standards for light and industrial gears applications and other plant based biolubricant