Effect of Temperature on Extraction of Castor Oil from Castor Seeds Using Potential Green Solvents

Abstract

Extraction of castor oil from castor seeds was investigated using different green solvents which include d-limonene, p-cymene, α-pinene, ethanol, and furfural at the temperature range of (323 -413) K. The Soxhlet extraction method was employed to investigate the effect of temperature at atmospheric pressure. The focus of the study was to investigate a potential green solvent that can produce the high yields compared to the traditional solvent (hexane). The results show that at the average time of 3 hours and 30 minutes, the castor oil yield for green solvents were ranked as furfural (47.13%) > ethanol (45.37%) > p-cymene (39.15%) > d-limonene (39.13%) > α-pinene (38.11%). These castor oil yields were obtained at optimum temperatures for each green solvent. The castor oil yields were compared to the yield of hexane (31.36%) at same average time. The green solvents were recovered by using simple distillation, except furfural which was difficult to be recovered.

The Impact of Co-Solvents on the Extraction of Castor Oil from Castor Seeds

“…The schematic diagram of the experimental setup, the Soxhlet apparatus used in this study and experimental procedure or method of Soxhlet extractor are detailed described and presented in the literature [9], [19]. The Physical properties measured using equipment specified in literature [9], [19].…”

“…The process of separating the co-solvents-oil mixture collected in the round bottom flask was carried out using a simple distillation unit. For more details refer to publication [9], [19]. The recovered oil was analysed to determine purity and relevant properties.…”

“…For more details refer to the literature [9]. With the growing human population and industrialization, there has been a significant depletion of fossil fuel reserves and an increase in petroleum prices which has caused researchers to look for alternative fuel sources [1], [6], [12]- [19].…”

“…This study is focused on extracting castor oil using green solvents. A study of green of green solvents are reflected on publication [9], [19], [22]- [25]. The benefits of green solvents, several physicochemical properties, techniques for extraction of castor oil and Soxhlet extraction are detailed in literature [9], [19], [26]- [33].…”

“…In this study, the impact of co-solvents on the extraction of castor oil from castor seeds using potential green solvents obtained from [9] and [19], were investigated. The co-solvents were prepared from the selected green solvents: d-limonene; α-pinene; p-cymene; and ethanol.…”