Abstract
Various methods of biodiesel production have been developed in the recent past to reduce production costs. These new approaches may have varying effects on ester quality. Thus an investigation is necessary to determine cost saving measures that do not compromise ester quality. This work examined the effects of a cost saving strategy on Biodiesel quality. This conservative method involved the transesterification of a Jathropha-Moringa oil blend using a blend of two primary alcohols. Three alkaline catalysts were also used. The reaction conditions were: Jathropha to Moringa oil blending ratio of 4:1; Methanol to ethanol blending ratio of 4:1; Alkaline catalyst concentration of 0.5 w/w %; reaction time of 40 minutes; stirring speed of 1000 rpm; Temperature of 60°C and an Alcohol to oil molar ratio of 7.5. Biodiesel samples were tested according to ASTM D6751 and AOCS guidelines. Results indicated that the density, iodine values, flash point and fire points of esters did not vary significantly as the experiment was repeated using three different alkaline catalysts. It also showed that the effect of NaOH, KOH and CaO were not always negative when they were significant. Lastly, the methods applied in this did not compromise ester quality with regard to observed fuel parameters.
Highlights
Population growth and increasing industrialization have driven man's insatiable thirst for energy as a result of depleting fossil fuel reserves and the environmentally polluting nature of the fuels
Various methods of biodiesel production have been developed in the recent past to reduce production costs
This work examined the effects of a cost saving strategy on Biodiesel quality
Summary
Population growth and increasing industrialization have driven man's insatiable thirst for energy as a result of depleting fossil fuel reserves and the environmentally polluting nature of the fuels. One promising alternative to fossil fuel is biodiesel It remains less attractive than petroleum diesel because of high production costs. Catalysts used for biodiesel production in a single plant may have to be changed to adapt to market realities The effects of these catalysts on biodiesel diesel quality is important because information on the properties of fuels produced through their varied use and the application of other novel cost saving processes will be useful to their effective commercialization [8,9]. This work investigated the effects of three alkaline catalysts on the quality of alkyl-esters It determined the properties of esters produced by transesterification of Jathropha and Moringa oil feedstock blend using a mixture of two alcohols in comparison to ASTM D6751 and petrodiesel standards
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