Characteristics of biodiesel synthesis from used palm oil and methanol reactants in the DBD plasma reactor using argon

Conventional methods of producing FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters), including the use of raw materials containing triglycerides from fresh palm oil used cooking oil and methanol, are generally carried out through alkaline transesterification reactions. The actual method is however faced with several disadvantages and obstacles, especially the formation of large amounts of glycerol, hence it requires a complex separation process, which involves the use of large quantitys of water and energy. This study, attempts to overcome the problem of glycerol formation, using a cold plasma Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) reactor to convert triglycerides. Furthermore, the procedure to obtain biodiesel is simple but a better product quality is obtained. The purpose of this research therfore is to determine the optimal operating conditions needed for this approach, especially for high-quality biodiesel production. The analyzing technique inovolved tests of density, viscosity, acid number, moisture content, and freee fatty acids in oil, as well as the levels of methyl esters and other equivalent diesel engine fuel components. The operating conditions applied include, controlled atmospheric pressure, reactor temperature (50 °C), reactant and argon gas flow rate (1.33 mL / s and 25.3 mL / s respectively), plasma voltage of 10.23 kV, and a feed volume of 200 mL. Furthermore, the triglyceride used cooking palm, methanol was utilized as the liquid reactants and argon as the plasma carrier gas.