SYNTHESIS OF POUR POINT DEPRESSANTS IN BIODIESEL FROM NEEM OIL

Abstract

This research aimed to synthesize the PPDs from neem with high amount of unsaturated fatty acids. The PPDs were synthesized via three step reaction, including two-step process, epoxidation and alkoxylation, with different alcohol groups (1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol and 1-hexanol). The synthesized PPDs from each step were characterized by 1H-NMR technique. Palm biodiesel blended with synthesized PPD at various concentrations ranging from 0 to 200,000 ppm. The blended biodiesels were investigated the cold flow properties, including cloud point (CP) and pour point (PP), according to ASTM standard. The results indicated that the five PPDs can improve cold flow properties of palm biodiesel, resulting in decreasing of CP and PP. The best cold flow properties of palm biodiesel was given to 1-hexoxy (200,000 ppm), resulting in the decreasing of CP and PP by 3.5 and 2.9◦C, respectively. The decreasing of CP and PP was corresponded to the increasing of the alkoxy chain length. The measurment of viscosity of palm biodiesel blended with 1-hexoxy PPD at 200,000 ppm was observed at 4.60 cSt and this value was in the range of viscosity standard of commercial biodiesel.