Synthesis, theoretical studies and viscosity correlations of ricinoleic acid based methyl ester soap solution

Abstract

The use of vegetable oils for industrial applications needs chemical modification to improve its properties. For coolants and lubricant applications, the viscosity of vegetable oils plays a vital role which decides the heat dissipation and flow characteristics of vegetable oils. In this study, the viscosity prediction modeling of binary mixtures has been made using refutes empirical relations. The blend viscosity from the model depends on the blend ratios of the unsaturated fatty acids in castor oil and methanol. This blending of castor oil and methanol follows KOH assisted transesterification process to form Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) soap solution. The transesterified blend mixes have been experimentally analyzed for viscosity using Brookfield viscometer. The measured values of viscosities of the blend mix have been compared with viscosities obtained from refutes binary blend mix model. The percentage deviation between the experimental viscosities and Refutes viscosity prediction model is about 10.76%. The prepared FAME soap solution can be used as coolants and lubricants in manufacturing industries.