Abstract
Crude Castor oil was transesterified using methanol, mixtures of methanol and butanol in molar percentages and potassium hydroxide as catalyst. The optimum reaction conditions, based on the percentage yield of biodiesel, were 45 mins reaction time at 65 0 C and 1.5w/w% catalyst. The alcohol/oil ratio and agitation rate were both held constant at 12:1 and 450rpm respectively throughout the process. The yield of biodiesel from castor oil at such optimum reaction conditions were 87.1%, 85.7 % and 81.7 for 100%, 95% and 90% methanol-butanol molar blends respectively. . The specific gravities at 15 0 C were 0.898 and 0.902ml/g, kinematic viscosities at 40 0 C varied from 6.4 to 7.8 cSt. The calorific values were between 10690 and 10708 cal/g and the flash points were found to be within the range 144 to 150 0 C. The standard specifications for biodiesel (ASTM D67651) show that the specific gravity, flash point and calorific value requirements were satisfied. The higher viscosity (above 6.0 cSt.) can be controlled by the use of additives. Alternatively, blending with petroleum diesel will lead to improvement of the flow properties of the biodiesel fuel.
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