Transesterificação seguida de destilação para a obtenção de bioquerosene de pinhão manso (Jatropha curcas L.), babaçu (Orbignya phalerata) e palmiste (Elaeis guineenses)

Abstract

The increase in global energy demand has contributed to the search for alternative energy sources aimed at reducing the dependency on fossil fuels. The airline industry increasingly invests in the development of a less dependent on fossil fuel sources, that is from renewable sources and to maintain the original composition of fossil kerosene (jet fuel-1), preventing changes are needed in aircraft engines. An alternative is the production of so-called Biokerosene from oil intended for energy purposes. In this context, there are the jatropha oil (Jatropha curcas L.), babassu (Orbignya phalerata) and palm kernel (Elaeis guineenses) who present themselves as strong potential for the production of bio-kerosene. The objective of this study was to obtain an alternative aviation biofuel to fossil kerosene (jet fuel-1) from the transesterification reaction by homogeneous catalysis, esters were subjected to vacuum fractional distillation process, and the fractions that showed higher contents of minor carbon chains compounds were mixed with fossil commercial kerosene in the proportions of 5, 10 and 20% (biokerosene/kerosene). Also mixtures of the methyl esters of kerosene were performed in the same proportions. Some quality specifications determined by the standard of ANP No. 38 of 28.07.2011 DOU 29.07.2011, as the kinematic viscosity, calorific value, density and flash point were tested for both the methyl esters and bio-kerosene as to their mixtures to fossil kerosene. Mixtures up to 20% bio-kerosene jatropha, babassu and palm kernel in the evaluated quality parameters only the calorific value did not meet the established limits, lying below this by a very small margin. Based on these results, it has been found feasible to carry blends of Jatropha Biokerosene, babassu oil and palm kernel prepared by this method with commercial jet fuel up to 10% (v/v), and if the range of acceptability of parameters is larger this percentage can reach up to 20%. The characterization of mixtures of methyl esters/kerosene confirmed that the biofuels obtained by the proportion between 10 and 20%, has properties comparable with the commercial aviation fuel available.