DIFFUSION RATE ANALYSIS IN PALM KERNEL OIL EXTRACTION USING DIFFERENT EXTRACTION SOLVENTS

This study investigated the rate of diffusion on the extraction of palm kernel oil using various solvents, namely, n-hexane, Benzene, Trichloroethylene, and Carbondisulfide. The solvents and the extracted palm kernel oil were characterized using the AOCS standard methods, and the results are shown in tables 1 and 2. The palm kernel used in the study was obtained from Akpugo in Nkanu West local Government Area of Enugu State. The effects of extraction time and temperature as well as quantity and nature of solvent were investigated as reported in figures 1-3. The characterized PKO was used to determine parameters used in establishing the Diffusivity (6.47 x 10-9m2/s), which in turn was used to calculate the rate of diffusion,(4.00 x 107kmole/m2.s), and the coefficient of mass transfer, (3.2 x 10-5kmloe/m2.s), all of which conformed to the standard values, [12].