BIOLUBRICANTS FROM JATROPHA CURCAS SEED OIL AND SIMAROUBA SEED OIL --1 ESTERIFICATION

Abstract

In all types of machines moving parts rub against each other and cause friction. A substance which is introduced in between the moving parts in order to reduce friction is the lubricants. The increase in the environmental pollution and the diminishing reserves of petroleum has brought the attention towards the bio-lubricants, an alternative source to the conventional petroleum oil based lubricants. The major advantage of the biolubricant being the biodegradability, non toxic and zero green house gases. This paper gives an insight into the advantages of the biolubricant derived from bio source. In this project the Jatropha curcas oil and Simarouba oil was used as a feedstock for producing biolubricant. A two step process for lubricant production was assisted by acid esterification to reduce the free fatty acid content and co-solvent transesterification. The total reaction time was shorter than previous studies. Therefore the two step catalyzing process has a potential application in producing biolubricant from seed oils.