<p> This thesis attempted to synthesize biodiesel using indigenous materials and simple aboriginal techniques. Biodiesel requires plant oil, an alcohol and a catalyst. Coconut oil was extracted using the unrefined method and a 15% yield was obtained. Palm trees can produce ethanol when its palm juice is collected and is fermented to make palm wine. The distillation of palm wine separated an ethanol-water mixture with 35 wt% ethanol content. Calcium oxide, obtained from eggshells, is a catalyst that speeds up the transesterification reaction. Wasted eggshells undergo a calcinations process where calcium carbonate decomposes into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. A scanning electron microscope confirmed the calcinations at the surface of the eggshells. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis of each step confirmed biodiesel synthesis. The successful creation of biodiesel from coconut oil, ethanol and calcium oxide creates a potential for people in small tropical rural villages to empower themselves with just local abundant resources.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:1527566 |
| Date | 23 April 2014 |
| Creators | Kuoh, Aleke |
| Publisher | California State University, Long Beach |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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