Biodiesel from Refined Bleached Deodorized Palm Kernel Oil : Transesterification

Biodiesel, a new energy resource which can be obtained from plant oil or animal fats is our new hope in replacement of petroleum. Most of the petroleum sources are running out faster than what experts would have been estimated. Hence, scientists as well as businessman have been working around new resources dilligently. Sunflower oil, ccanola oil, algae, used cooking oil and etc have been used to produce biodiesel. It is efficient to use sunflower oil for biodiesel conversion in Europe since it is planted in vast amount there. However research has shown that it is difficult to control production of biodiesel from algae due to various reasons. Palm tree or in Malay Pokok Kelapa Sawit is found vastly in Asia Pacific especially in Malaysia and thus inevitably various research and studies have been conducted in converting palm oil or palm kernel oil to biodiesel. Moving from that, its properties can be modified in order to get better biodiesel with higher efficiency. In this research work, the kinetic of the transesterification of RBD palm kernel oil was done.