Experimental Study: Extracted Resin Oil of Pili (Canarium Ovatum) Tree as

an Alternative for LPG

A Quantitative

Research Presented to

Ms. Celia Concepcion Gregorio

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the

Practical Research 2

Zyrus Encarnado

Gil Benjamin Barron

Christan Jhay Pawang

May, 2019
 Chapter I

The Problem and Its Background

Introduction

As the world continues to further develop and as countries prosper, people

need more resources so that they can live and cope up with the changes

happening in their society. One of the resources people always need is the LPG

or Liquefied Petroleum Gas. LPG is very useful, from automobiles cooking

stoves, LPG is always there.

LPG according to Teri (2019) is a nonrenewable resource like all other

fossil fuels. Renewable resource means that it is not replaceable for another

billion years. The natural gas reserves from which LPG is obtained will probably

last for just 59 years according Hunkar (2011). This is the problem the

researchers wants to solve and that is why they are proposing the use of Resin

oil extracted from the Pili tree (Canarium ovatum).

The Pili tree can be found in tropical countries and one of these countries

is the Philippines. The resin can be obtained from the Pili tree by injuring its bark.

It is synthetic organic compound consisting of a noncrystalline or viscous liquid

substance. Unlike LPG which is processed and refined from natural gas, resin is

in nature itself. It is renewable and easy to get.

In this study, the researchers will find if the resin oil extracted from

Canarium ovatum can be an alternative for LPG. In order to do so, the

researchers will compare the length of time the resin oil will last against the LPG

with the same amount to the resin oil.

Background of the Study

The world is continuously evolving, so are the needs of the people. With

more developments happening in the society, the resources a person needs to

have also increases. One of the usual needs of the people is the LPG. The LPG

or liquefied petroleum gas is usually used in cooking. Many of the cars nowadays

are also fueled by LPG. To put it simply, LPG became one of the necessities of

the people. As the demand for it increases, the reserves of the natural gas

decrease. As reported by the WLPGA or the World LPG Association, in the

Philippines the yearly demand on LPG is 1.43 million metric tons in 2016 and it is

increasing at over 10% since 2014. This shows that LPG is in demand for the

Filipinos.

Resin has always been used in survival in the forest. According to

American Survival Guide (2017), Tree resin is a natural, sticky secretion that

oozes out of trees to seal any “wounds” it may incur and also decreases water

loss during droughts. Because it also happens to be a highly flammable

substance, resin makes for an ideal natural fuel for torches and starting fires.

Resin has also been used in perfumes since ancient times (Camen, 2011). Each

resin has its own fragrant that can add to the overall fragrance of the perfume.

The researchers attempt to find an alternative to the LPG. Since resin is a

natural organic compound which can be easily obtained by injuring the bark or
any part of the tree, the researchers thought that this can be an alternative for

LPG.

The researchers’ goal is to determine if the resin oil can be an alternative for

LPG and make it if possible. They want to determine if there is a significant

difference in the length of time the resin oil and LPG with the same amount, will

last.

Theoretical Framework

The theory of combustion is formulated by Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier in

1772. He discovered that the products of burned sulfur or phosphorus weigh

more than the weight of the initial substances. He postulated that this happened

due to the combination of the substance with air during the combustion process.

He called the air “Oxygen” (Kondratiev, 2018).

Combustion is a chemical process involving many steps that depend on

the properties of the combustible substance. It is started by external factors such

as heat, light, and sparks. The reaction sets in as the combination of

combustibles achieves the ignition temperature. The combustion spreads from

the ignition source to the adjacent layer of gas mixture; in turn, each point of the

burning layer serves as an ignition source for the next adjacent layer, and so on.

Combustion dismisses when balance is achieved between the total heat energies

of the reactants and the total heat energies of the products. Most reactions

terminate when what is called thermal equilibrium has been attained—i.e., when

the energy of the reactants equals the energy of the products.

Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

 Resin Oil  Length of Time the

Resin oil will last
compared to the same
amount of LPG.

Figure 1: Research Paradigm

In this study, the researchers will find out if the resin oil can be an

alternative to LPG. They can do this by comparing the length of time the resin oil

will last once it is ignited to the length of time the LPG lasts. They will find if there

is significant difference between the two. The resin oil will be extracted from the

resin of the Pili tree (Canarium ovatum) through steam distillation. Test will be

repeated in order to make sure that the results will be reliable.

Statement of the Problem

LPG or Liquefied Petroleum Gas is really useful for the society nowadays.

Because of its applications, it's no wonder that the natural gas reserves from

which it is obtained will not last long. The researchers want to find an alternative

to the LPG and their answer is the resin oil extracted from the Pili tree. Due to the

lack of information and study that will help the researchers convert or transform

the resin oil into an alternative fuel they want to know if there is a significant

difference between the length of time the resin oil will last and the LPG with the

same amount to the oil. The researchers also want to know if the resin oil

extracted from the mixture of 60 g of resin and 150 ml of solvent which is the

distilled water.

Research Questions

1. Is the resin oil extracted from the 60 g of resin flammable?

2. Is there a significant difference between the length of time the resin oil will

last when ignited and the LPG with the same amount?

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this experimental study is to know if the resin oil extracted

from the resin of Canarium ovatum can be an alternative for LPG. The

researchers will use the steam distillation in extracting the resin oil which is an

essential oil from the 60 g of resin. The experiment will be conducted inside the
science laboratory of senior high school department of Cabuyao Integrated

National High School.

Significance of the Study

This study aims to make the resin oil as an alternative for LPG. The

researchers will compare the length of time the resin oil will last against the same

amount of LPG which is the control group of the study. By finding if it can be an

alternative to LPG, this study will benefit the following:

Future Researchers. The outcome of this study would be a great material

as a reference for the succeeding researchers for it can be a guide and a proof

that oil extract from the resin of Canarium ovatum is a feasible substitute for

usual gas products people use.

Government. There are many Pili trees found in the Philippines and this

study gives an idea to the government on how to use the resin found on the Pili

trees that grow in the country. They can use it as another source of funds for the

country by exporting the resin oil which can be used as an alternative fuel.

Industries. This study will give the industries a new idea on how to use

the resin oil. It is commonly used in perfume but no one uses it for the purpose of

cooking or burning things. With this study, their profits will be much greater than

in the past.
 Community. The community living near the Pili trees can have a new

business venture using resin they can get from the Pili trees growing around

them.

Scope and Limitations

The main purpose of this study is to find out if the resin oil can be an

alternative for LPG. The study focuses on knowing if the resin oil extracted from

60 g of resin is flammable and how long will it last after it was ignited compared

to the length of time LPG will last. In this study, resins will be collected in the Pili

tree located in the Pili Drive of University of the Philippines Los Baños. The data

will be collected in the science laboratory of senior high school department of

Cabuyao Integrated National High School where the experiment will also be

conducted (2019-2020).

Definition of Terms

Resin –commonly known as “sap” is the sticky fluid that comes out of the Pili

tree when injured.

Flammability –is the ability of the resin oil to burn or ignite when exposed to fire.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas -it is the control group in which the resin oil will be

compared to.
 Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature

This chapter presents a brief description of related literature and studies

that connect to the flammability of the resin oil from Canarium ovatum. Evidence

of these studies funded the development of the background of the present study.

Literature and Study Review

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica (2019), the resin is a natural

organic compound liquid substance. Synthetic resins are usually fusible and

flammable organic substances that are transparent or translucent and are

yellowish to brown in color. Most natural resins are excluded from trees. Resins

are formed when the bark of a certain tree is injured due to some natural

phenomena like wind, fire, lighting or it is caused by man-made activities.

At first when the resin is formed, it loses some of its volatile content by

evaporation, making the resin soft and soluble. As time passes by, it becomes

insoluble. The ancient Chinese and Japanese use resins in preparation of

lacquers and varnishes.

It may be classified into two: the spirit-soluble and oil-soluble. Spirit-

soluble are resins that are soluble in alcohol and other organic solvents while oil-

soluble is the solubility of the resin in oil (Natural resin, 2016).

 According to (Dilworth & Stennett, 2017), can be classified

as terpenoid or phenolic resins. Terpenoid resins are composed of terpenoid

compounds like sesquiterpenes (C15), diterpenes (C20), 10-carbon

monoterpenes and triterpenes (C30). On the other hand, phenolic resins contain

compounds such as a simple phenylpropane, lignans, and flavonoids. Di- and tri-

terpenes are nonvolatile components of resins, while mono- and sesquiterpenes

are found in the volatile fraction in most plant resins. Resins are heterogeneous

mixture of resin acids (C20H30O2) (Pallardy, 2009).

Essential oils are volatile oils that contain a mixture of chemical

compounds and have an aroma characteristic of the plant. Commonly used

essential oils are eucalyptus oil, clove oil, tea tree oil and aromatherapy oils.

(Essential oils - health warning, 2016). It is extracted from plants through steam

distillation or mechanical methods such as cold pressing. The way in which the

oil from plants is extracted is very important, for one cannot consider the

extracted oil true essential oil when it is extracted through chemical processes.

This means that essential oils are the oils which are obtained from plants through

natural processes (West, 2017).

Essential oils are usually composed of herpenes biogenerated by

the mevalonate pathway. These are volatile molecules within the oil that includes

monoterpenes (hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpenes), and also

sesquiterpenes (hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpenes). Essential oils also

containes phenolic compounds, which are derived via the shikimate pathway.

Because of this there are numerous biological uses of it in food and cosmetics
industries, as well as in the human health field (Dhifi, Bellili, Jazi, Bahloul, & Mnif,

2016).

Stated by Aspen (2016), essential oils are flammable because it is

volatile. Volatile substances are unstable and highly flammable. A substance is

flammable when it has a flash point of not more 60.5 degrees Celsius. Each of

the oils obtained naturally from plants are flammable but their flash points are

different from one another. Based on the study of Can Başer & Temel (2012),

essential oils are complex mixtures of volatile natural chemicals.

In a study about the optimization of essential oil extraction from

orange peels using steam explosion, the researchers used the steam explosion

in extracting oil from the pee. Steam explosion according to Golmohammadi,

Borghei , Zenouzi, Ashrafi, & Taherzadeh (2018), the material is subjected to

high-pressure saturated steam following by significantly reducing the pressure

over an angle valve towards a vacuum tank. The optimum essential oil yield by

the extraction method was obtained when the temperature is 170 °C, 8 bars in

240 seconds duration time.

In a study by Al Amri, Jesil, Salim, & Saravaan (2019), they

measure the effectiveness of steam distillation in the extraction of essential oil

from Frankincense. Frankincense belong to the family of Burseracae same as

the family of the Canarium ovatum. In this study, the steam distillation apparatus

was installed by using the components that can be found in a school science

laboratory. The researchers use a 500 ml distillation flask as the still that will hold
the frankincense sample. The inlet of a condenser which is connected to a cold

tap water that goes into the Brake Fluid hose. The outlet of the condenser is ten

connected to an conical flask. The researchers use 110 g of powdered and

natural form of resin along with 300 ml of distilled water. They compare the

amount of essential oil yield between the powdered and natural form of resin.

They found out that the amount of essential oil obtained in the powdered form of

resin is greater than the amount yield by the natural form of the frankincense

resin.

Steam distillation is the process that the researchers will use in

order to extract the oil from the resin of Canarium ovatum. It removes the

contaminants from the component being tested. Distilled water is used in this

type of distillation because it does not contain any minerals. The process of this

distillation separates the substances of a mixture through the process of

evaporation and condensation. Through condensation, the substances

evaporated from the still will turn again into liquid, flowing through the condenser

to the flask (Trubiano, 2018). Steam distillation takes advantage of the difference

of the boiling points of the substances in the mixture. Steam goes through the

organic matter that comprises the compounds for separation. It condenses with

the matter to form a mixture. That mixture gets heated more by incoming steam,

vaporizing the mixture. Due to the reduced vapor pressure, the required organic

compounds also evaporate as a part of the mixture and are therefore removed

from the organic matter.

 According to Riegler (2013), to turn resin into powder one must put

it in the freezer to cool it. One of the common problems associated with

powderizing resin is that it becomes soft again when it is grind using electrical

grinder so the solution is to cool it first. After that, 30 minutes or 1 hour you can

grind it traditionally or electrically.

According to Pro (2019), flammability is the ability of a substance to

ignite leading to combustion. Knowing its flammability is important for its storage

and transport. It is also the measurement of how materials can sustain

combustion (Helmenstine, 2017).

Liquids only burn when the vapor concentration in the liquid

exceeds the LFL (Lower Flammability Limit). The relationship of the temperature

and vapor concentration is directly proportional. As the temperature increases,

the vapor concentration also increases (Chapter 8: Fire characteristics of

combustibles presentation, 2016). The variations in the flammability of a liquid

are due to: Intensity and size of ignition source, length of time ignition source is

held over the liquid, rate of heating the liquid, and degree of air movement over

the liquid.

Flammable liquids are different from combustible liquids. According

to Flammable and combustible liquids (2016), flammable liquids are liquids with a

flashpoint of less than 100°F while those with a flashpoint greater than that are

called “combustible liquids”. The flammable liquids unlike the combustible liquids
are easier to ignite due to their flashpoint. Flammable liquids are Class I while

combustible liquids are Class II.

 Chapter 3

Research Methodology

This chapter presents the research design, materials and methods,

instrumentation, ethical considerations, statistical analysis and data collection

needed by the researchers.

Research Design

This research is an experimental study that focuses on the flammability of

the resin oil and its ideal condition on which it will become most flammable.

Under the experimental design of research is the true-experimental study.

True experimental study is a type of experimental design and is thought to

be the most accurate type of experimental research. A true experiment also

establishes cause and effect relationships (True experiment: Definition and

examples, 2017). In this study, the researchers will use statistical analysis to

show that there is a significant difference between the resin oil and LPG in terms

of length of time they will last.

Materials and Methods

One of the materials needed for the experiment is the resin from the Pili

tree (Canarium ovatum) which is obtained from the PIli tree in the Pili drive of the

University of the Philippines Los Baños. The researchers found some trees

already secreting resin but due to the needs of the study they injure the bark of

some trees in order for that tree to secrete resin. This resin will be put inside the
freezer for it to cool before exposing it in the air. This will allow the researchers to

grind the resin using mortar and pestle, making it easier for them to dissolve it in

the solvent.

150 ml of distilled water will also be used for the experiment. The distilled

water will come from the local market in Cabuyao City. The beakers, condenser,

oil lamp, erlenmayer flask and test tubes is available in the science laboratory of

the senior high school department of Cabuyao Integrated National High School.

In extracting the resin oil from the resin of the pili tree (Canarium ovatum)

the researchers will use the steam distillation. Steam distillation is the most

appropriate in extracting the essential oil from the resin according to Aspen

(2016). In steam distillation, the erlenmayer flask will contain a mixture of water

and grinded resin. The flask will be put above the fire produced by the oil lamp

for the volatile mixtures to evaporate. The vapors now goes into the condenser

tube for it to condense and turn into liquid again. A test tube will be waiting at the

end of the condenser tube. The resin oil will be lit up in the petri dish.

Instrumentation

Instruments are the generic term that researchers use for a measurement

device. Instrumentation is the course of action or the process of using the device

or the instrument (Instrument, validity and reliability, 2009).

Most of the instruments for measurements that the researchers will use is

in the science laboratory of the senior high school department of Cabuyao

Integrated National High School. One of the instruments is the weighing scale.
With the use of the weighing scale, the researchers will be able to measure the

weight of the resin.

In measuring the amount of water the researchers needed for the

experiment they will use a 500 ml beaker to get the right amount of water needed

for the experiment. It will also be used in measuring the amount of resin oil so

that it can be equal to the amount of LPG that will be used in the study. They will

use a 300 ml lighter that contains LPG as the control group or the standard in

which the length of time the resin oil will last will be compared to.

Ethical considerations

This study involves different types of hazards that can prove to be harmful

to the community. To address these potential hazards, the researchers keeps a

careful, alert and attentive minds during their experiment and the research itself.

The researchers strictly followed the rules and regulations inside the science

laboratory along with the few advices their science teacher gave, during the

extraction experiment which includes the usage of fire, fuel gas, and glass

materials in the laboratory as well as the volatile and flammable substance that is

going to be extracted from the resin through steam distillation. These enabled the

researchers to successfully conduct their study’s experiment without causing

harm to the environment and community around them.

The researchers also take into consideration the potential harmful effects

of this study to our own environment since this research involves a proposal to

new and another alternative fuel. As we all know fuels are just one of the leading
factors that affects our environment in terms of global warming and this fuel that

the researchers aim to develop might not or might have the same effect to our

environment especially the emissions it is going to emit when it is used or

burned. However, this study is limited only to find out the flammability of the

extracted oil from the resin. Mitigating or negating its harmful effects to the

environment is beyond the scope of the researchers’ research.

Data Collection

During the researchers’ data collection, they asked for their science

teacher’s permission first to use the science laboratory. The laboratory is

currently at a room temperature. The researchers continued by setting up the

necessary tools and materials and before they actually started, they made sure

to themselves that the researchers will follow the safety guidelines, regulations

and rules inside the laboratory. They also followed some advice that their science

teacher gave them before they enter the laboratory that helped them to make

things more organized and safe. Since the experiment includes fire, fuel gas and

the flammable substance the researchers are going to extract from the resin they

prepared water and a fire extinguisher in case a fire broke out.

The intensity of fire may differ that can affect the results of the experiment.

In order to address that problem, the researchers will only use one lighter so that

the intensity of the fire will be equal to each other.

Statistical analysis

The information gathered by the researchers will be recorded and undergo

series of analyzing, evaluating and interpreting. The researchers will use the

following appropriate and accurate statistical analysis such as t-test and p-test

§ T-test

The researchers will use the t-test analysis to the second research

question to identify if there is a significant difference between the duration of

flammability of extracted resin oil and LPG

where:

ΣA)2 = Sum of data set A, squared.

(ΣB)2 = Sum of data set B, squared

μA = Mean of data set A (Step 3)

μB = Mean of data set B (Step 3)

ΣA2 = Sum of the squares of data set A

ΣB2 = Sum of the squares of data set B

nA = Number of items in data set A

nB = Number of items in data set B

 § P-test

The researchers will use the p-test as an alternative to rejection points to

determine the smallest level of significance at which the Null Hypothesis would

be rejected.

Where:

P = sample Proportion

p0 = assumed sample proportion in the Null Hypothesis

n = the amount of resin