Densities and Viscosities of Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters and Biodiesels Produced by Ethanolysis from Palm, Canola, and Soybean Oils: Experimental Data and Calculation Methodologies

Abstract

Knowledge of the densities and viscosities of biodiesels is of great importance when designing equipment for synthesis processes and use of this biofuel in engines. Calculation methods for determining density and viscosity of products obtained from natural raw materials are powerful tools because the composition of this fuel varies. Despite the importance of biodiesel as a completely renewable biofuel, little data are available regarding the determination of its physical properties when produced with ethanol. In the present work, the density and viscosity of three biodiesels produced by ethanolysis were determined at different temperatures. A modified methodology was developed to calculate the viscosity of ethyl esters, and a new approach was presented for calculating density of ethyl esters and biodiesels produced by ethanolysis. The experimental data were compared to calculated data, resulting in average relative deviations ranging from 0.81 to 16.31% and from 0.25 to 0.62%, respectively, for biodiesel viscosity and density.