Experimental and theoretical studies on the effects of antioxidants on the production of bio-lubricants based on modified jatropha oil (trimethylolpropane-jatropha oil methyl ester)

Abstract

The aim of this research project is to study the effects of two types of antioxidants, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (2,6-DTBP) on the production of bio-lubricants based on modified jatropha oil (JO). Experimental study involved the production of trimethylolpropane-jatropha oil methyl ester (TMP-JOME) started with two-step acid–base catalyzed transesterification to produce jatropha oil methyl ester (JOME) from jatropha oil (JO), continued by chemical synthesis of TMP-JOME from the prepared JOME, also by transesterification process. In the process of preparing JOME, the first step, which is acid pretreatment, requires JO to be reacted with methanol in the presence of hydrochloric acid as the catalyst.