Biolubricant basestocks synthesis using 5-step reaction from jatropha oil, soybean oil, and palm fatty acid distillate.

• This research proposed the new method to synthesize biolubricant basestocks using 5-step chemical reactions and modifications. • The simple techniques of saponification and hydrolysis were applied to convert triglycerides to free fatty acid and unsaturated fatty acids were separated using urea crystallization. • Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) was used to make branching molecules, hence, improving pour point property. • Both jatropha and soybean oils were proven to be good feedstock for biolubricant basestocks production according to the specification of ISO VG 32 for viscosity and ISO 15380 in HEES category. This research presents a 5-step chemical reaction and modifications to convert triglyceride of jatropha and soybean oils to biolubricant. Saponification and hydrolysis (1st), urea crystallization (2nd), epoxidation (3rd), epoxide ring opening (4th), and esterification (5th) were performed in a series. At first, jatropha and soybean oils were saponified and hydrolyzed, and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) was separated. After hydrolysis, free fatty acid (FFA) of jatropha and soybean oils increased from 5.02 % and 0.00%–99.66% and 99.75 %, respectively. Next, UFA was successfully separated by urea crystallization, and UFA increased from 79.10%–97.98 % in jatropha oil and from 84.14%–99.64% in soybean oil. Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), a cheap co-product from palm oil factories, was used in the reaction to make branching molecules, and 1% (w/w) H 2 SO 4 was the catalyst in esterification. All structure modifications were confirmed by GC-FID, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR, and the physical and chemical properties of the final products were analyzed. The confirmation of ≥90.09 % epoxidation was done by 1H-NMR. A 1.0:1.0 mol ratio of PFAD: epoxidized fatty acid (EFA) at 110 °C for the epoxide ring opening reaction and a 1.0:2.5 mol ratio of epoxide ring opening product (EROP):2-ethylhexanol (2-EtH) for the esterification were chosen, as this resulted in the highest conversion of ester products in both jatropha and soybean. The synthesized biolubricant basestocks appear to be suitable for a hydraulic fluid application, ISO 15380 in the HEES category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]