Stepwise Production of Potential Biolubricant Base Stock from Sunflower Oil: Hydrolysis, Fatty Acid Separation and Esterification
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.13029Keywords:
Biolubricant, Esterification, Trimethylolpropane, Sunflower oil unsaturated fatty acids, Polyol esterAbstract
This study focuses on the synthesis of sunflower oil unsaturated fatty acids trimethylolpropane ester (SFOUFATMPE) as a potential biolubricant base stock. Sunflower oil was first hydrolyzed to obtain sunflower oil fatty acids (SFOFA) with a high yield of 96%, followed by low-temperature methanol crystallization to separate unsaturated fatty acids (SFOUFA) from saturated fatty acids (SFOSFA). The separation process produced 98.89% SFOUFA with a yield of 86.32%, while the saturated fraction (SFOSFA) was obtained with 100% purity and a yield of 13.68%. The SFOUFA fraction was then esterified with trimethylolpropane (TMP) in the presence of sulfuric acid as a catalyst to produce sunflower oil unsaturated fatty acids trimethylolpropane ester (SFOUFATMPE). The reaction was carried out with a mole ratio of 4:1 (SFOFA:TMP), 1.13% catalyst at 154 °C for 6 h. The synthesized SFOUFATMPE was characterized using FTIR, and NMR, confirming the successful formation of polyol esters. The SFOUFATMPE exhibited desirable physicochemical properties, including a high flash point (290 °C), low pour point (–18 °C), and good oxidative stability (24 min). These results demonstrate that SFOUFATMPE derived from sunflower oil is a promising and sustainable alternative to mineral oil-based lubricants.
HIGHLIGHTS
- A high-purity unsaturated fatty acid fraction (98.89%) was obtained from sunflower oil via hydrolysis and methanol crystallization.
- High-yield unsaturated fatty acids (86.32%) were obtained for further conversion into a biolubricant base stock.
- Sunflower oil unsaturated fatty acids trimethylolpropane ester (SFOUFATMPE) was synthesized via esterification with trimethylolpropane using sulfuric acid as a catalyst.
- Structural analysis using FTIR and NMR confirmed the successful formation of the polyol ester.
- The produced biolubricant exhibited excellent properties, including a high flash point (290 °C), low pour point (-18 °C), and good oxidative stability, indicating its potential as a sustainable alternative to mineral oil-based lubricants.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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