Mitigating crystallization of saturated FAMEs in biodiesel 6: The binary phase behavior of 1, 2-dioleoyl-3-stearoyl sn-glycerol – Methyl stearate

The derivatives of vegetable oils with specific chemical structures, such as TAG (triacylglycerols) having mixed straight and kinked moieties, have proven very effective in lowering the crystallization of biodiesel. SOO (1, 2-dioleoyl-3-stearoyl sn-glycerol)/MeS (methyl stearate) is part of a series of studies of TAG/FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) binary model systems conducted to establish structure–function relationships of lipid-based cold flow improvers in biodiesel with a particular attention to the effect of molecular symmetry in contrast with a previously published study of the OSO (1, 3-dioleoyl-2-stearoyl sn-glycerol)/MeS binary system. The phase behavior of several SOO/MeS mixtures were investigated at different length scales with XRD (X-ray diffraction), DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and PLM (polarized light microscope). A complete phase diagram including the transformation lines, crystal structure and microstructure was constructed. The solubility behavior was discussed using a simple thermodynamic model based on the Hildebrand equation and pair interactions. The asymmetric position of the oleic moieties of SOO was shown to be crucial in modifying the thermal transformation behavior of MeS. The findings may be used to design effective crystallization modifiers of biodiesel based on particular structural determinants, and underscores the importance of symmetry in such designs. - Highlights: • Effect of symmetry of triglyceride on biodiesel crystallization established. • Complete phase diagram of model triacylglycerol/biodiesel binary system achieved. • Correlation between thermal transitions, crystal structure and microstructure revealed. • Transformation points useful for improving the cold flow of biodiesel identified. • Necessary knowledge gathered to design effective biodiesel cold flow improvers.