Influence of Alkaline Catalysis on the Quality of Biodiesel Obtained from Crude Palm Oil (Elaeis Guineensis)

Abstract

The research titled “Influence of alkaline catalysis on the quality of biodiesel obtained from crude palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) in Ucayali” evaluated the effect of methanol-to-oil molar ratio and catalyst concentration on biodiesel yield and quality. The most favorable condition was found at a molar ratio of 11:1 with 0.7% NaOH, achieving a yield of 94.7%. The resulting biodiesel exhibited suitable properties, including a density of 873.9 kg/m³, kinematic viscosity of 3.88 mm²/s, acid value of 0.29 mg KOH/g, and iodine value of 53.4 g I2/100 g. Complementary analyses indicated a higher heating value of 38.9 MJ/kg, oxidative stability of 7.2 h, and flash point of 162 °C, confirming its energetic efficiency and safe handling. Thermal characterization revealed a cloud point of 13 °C and a pour point of 11 °C, which are adequate for tropical climates. Statistical analysis showed an inverse correlation between yield and viscosity (r = –0.68) with a coefficient of determination R² = 0.79, highlighting the significant influence of process parameters on biodiesel quality. These results demonstrate the potential of crude palm oil from Ucayali as a sustainable raw material for high-quality biodiesel production, contributing to the advancement of bioenergy in tropical regions.