Abstract
To reduce fossil fuel dependence and greenhouse gases, biomass energy is in high demand. <i>Hura crepitans</i> (HC) is a widely distributed plant species in Benin. But its seed oils are reputed to be purgative and unfit for consumption. So, we collected the seeds of HC in Agame (South of Benin). They were extracted and the seed oils have been converted into biodiesel. First, the quality indices (acid, peroxide, iodine and saponification) were determined. Then, elementary physicochemical parameters and fuel properties of the extracted oil have been highlighted according to standardised methods. Transesterification parameters of the seed oils (alcohol/oil and catalyst/oil ratios, temperature and yield) were also studied. The fatty acids of vegetable oil and the characteristics of its obtained biodiesel were finally identified. It appears that HC seeds have a lipid potential of 52.54%. Its oil is unsaturated and dominated by linoleic acid (54.13%). The yield of the transesterification reaction is 81.47%. The fuel parameters of the obtained biodiesel are: acidity (0.41%); density at 26°C (0.887); cetane number (54.44) compared to those of HC seed oils: acidity (4.81%), density at 26°C (0.929) and cetane number (44.53). The biodiesel obtained by transesterification with potash has much better parameters that comply with biodiesel standards. These results suggest that biodiesel of HC could be proposed to power Diesel engines without a preheating system.
Highlights
Throughout the world, the industrial revolution has given a prominent place to energies such as nuclear, fossil, natural gas and coal [1]
The acidity of vegetable oil above 1% requires its neutralization before its use in diesel engines [19]
The high peroxide value (>10 meqO2/kg) indicates that vegetable oil has a high concentration of peroxide and hydroperoxide which are primary products of autoxidation
Summary
Throughout the world, the industrial revolution has given a prominent place to energies such as nuclear, fossil, natural gas and coal [1]. Despite of thehigh cost of their production, food and arable land competitions, biofuels remain a credible alternative source because they are renewable [2,3,4] With their biodegradability and low toxicity to animal species and micro-organisms, they present little or no environmental risk unlike fossil oil [5]. A wise choice of unused or poorly consumed forest oil resources is necessary to limit controversy Whatever their origin, the combustion of crude vegetable oils produces oxygenated hydrocarbons at low temperatures, which leads to the thermal braking of diesel engines. Assou Sidohounde et al.: Biodiesel Synthesis by Ethanolysis of Hura crepitans Seed Oil Unfit for Consumption in Benin and pyrolysis are possible [8,9,10] Of all these processes, transesterification is the most widely used because of its simplicity, the best yields it offers and the quality of the biodiesel obtained [11]. Present study aims to produce biodiesel from unconventional vegetable oil of Hura crepitans harvested in Benin
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