This research work was carried out to produce biodiesel from two lauric oils; coconut oil and palm kernel oil. Biodiesel was made from these biodiesel feedstocks by a bench scale production. It was observed that the choice of biodiesel production method largely depended on the amount of free fatty acid contained in the feedstock oil. Coconut oil biodiesel was produced by a single-step base method of transesterification while palm kernel oil biodiesel was produced by a two-step acid-base method of transesterification because of its high free fatty acid (FFA) content. The result of ASTM standard test analysis on coconut oil biodiesel gave cloud point of -9.9°C, kinematic viscosity of 12.54 cSt, flash point of 155°C, bottom sediment and water 0%, carbon content of 0.003%, total sulphur content of 0%, and copper strip corrosion of 1b (slightly tarnished). The result of ASTM standard test analysis on palm kernel oil biodiesel gave cloud point of 13.8°C, kinematic viscosity of 10.12 cSt, flash point of 93°C, bottom sediment and water of 0%, carbon content of 0.002%, total sulphur content of 0%, and copper strip corrosion of freshly polished copper strip. The results obtained aligned with published data for other biodiesels as well as ASTM standards

biodiesel, biofuels, bioethanol, biogas, transesterification, alkyl esters, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, free fatty acid (FFA), ASTM

Biodiesel production is a rewarding thing to be part of as it enables one to make fuel for one’s diesel-powered vehicles. Coconut and palm kernel oils are nice and potential feedstocks for large scale production of biodiesel. Their biodiesels were light, transparent, safe to handle and mixable with petroleum diesel fuel in any proportion. They are alternative biofuels that can lead to a cleaner environment. It was observed that the choice of biodiesel production method largely depended on the amount of free fatty acid contained in the feedstock oil. The cost of producing coconut oil biodiesel was more than its palm kernel oil biodiesel counterpart. This was because coconut oil was more expensive than palm kernel oil. Palm kernel oil biodiesel was more cost competitive with petroleum diesel fuel

I.C. Onuguh, A.C. Adingwupu, I.Y. Aaron, V.J. Oke and O.S. Imade (2025). Comparative Biodiesel Production from Coconut and Palm Kernel Oils. International Journal on Emerging Technologies, 16(1): 137–143