Exploration of non-edible palm kernel oil as a potential heat transfer fluid for higher temperature applications

The need for new renewable heat transfer fluid (HTF) is in an increasing trend for high-temperature solar applications, and bio-oil synthesized from clean energy sources is considered as one kind of ideal alternative for thermal oil in solar and heat applications. The major merits of employing bio-oil in high-temperature applications are less volatile nature, high availability, non-hazardous, environmentally friendly, and renewable resources. The work’s objective is to explore the potentials of using non-edible Palm kernel oil as a heat transfer fluid for high-temperature applications. Oil derived from the palm kernel for synthesizing heat transfer fluid was used as a feedstock. Chemical conversion using base catalyst reaction was allowed to transform palm kernel oil into heat transfer fluid. The thermo physical properties like dynamic viscosity, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and density were analyzed and compared with the conventional heat transfer fluid. The results showed that the properties are developed gradually with increasing temperature, and all are influenced by the fatty acids of the oil. The EN14214 standards were compared with kernel oil heat transfer fluid characteristics and found within the standards.