From the soxhlet extraction, we managed to retrieve the seed oil from the round bottom flask. However, it is contained with a lot of impurities. Hence, we need to purify to obtain a pure oil sample.
We performed suction filtration with a vacuum pump to remove any impurities in the extracted rambutan oil. By using Vacuum filtration, it speeds up the process of filtration, as
compared to the conventional filtration method.
After filtration, the oil was free from impurities.
We then
proceeded with simple distillation, with the temperature set around 80°C to remove the
ethanol in the oil. The boiling point of the ethanol is around 78°C. At 80°C, all the ethanol
content in the oil will vapourised and condense as distillate.
The distillate (ethanol) was removed and disposed.
After distillation, the extracted rambutan oil were seen to have a darker colour.
The oil was left to cooled and then stored in a small glass bottle. After letting the oil to cool, there seemed to be 2 layers in the oil.
Next episode on RAMBUTAN EXTRACTION SERIES, Transesterification! In the next episode, the J-team faces another challenge, how to convert the seed oil into biodiesel? Transesterification? WHATS THAT?? Can they obtain the necessary equipment and ingredients to perform this daunting task? STAY TUNED ON CHANNEL J!
Do compare the amount of ethanol that you used before the start of the soxhlet extraction and after the separation from the oil using distillation. By doing this you can gauge, how many of the ethanol still remain together with the final mixture after the distillation
ReplyDeletewhat is the composition of the rambutan seeds oil? include your reference and then relate the composition with the appearance of the final mixture that you showed in this entry
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