Effect of degumming and catalyst type on physiochemical and biodiesel properties of tropical-almond (&lt;i&gt;Terminalia catappa&lt;/i&gt;) seed oil

L Sani,V.O Ajibola,S.E Abechi

doi:10.4314/jasem.v22i12.7

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of degumming process and catalyst type on physiochemical and biodiesel properties of tropical-almond ( Terminalia catappa ) seed oil (TCSO) extracted via mechanical pressing and solvent extraction method. The oil was degummed using 4% citric acid in amount of 10% by volume of the oil to reduce the acid value, ash content, and water and sediment value of the degummed oil compared to the raw oil. Data obtained show that degumming process reduces the acid value, ash content and water and sediment value from 7.57 mg KOH/g, 0.86 %w/w and 2.48% to 3.82 mg KOH/g, 0.65 %w/w and 2.40% respectively, and the percentage oil yield was 56.30±1.50%. Biodiesel was produced using a two-step reaction system from raw and degummed TCSO catalyzed by NaOH, KOH and CaO/Al 2 O 3 . The process yielded a higher yield (97.20±0.35) of biodiesel from degummed oil catalyzed by CaO/Al 2 O 3 . The fuel properties of the biodiesels were found to fulfill both ASTM D6751 and EN14214 biodiesel standard except the raw biodiesel. this study confirm that degumming process improves the susceptibility of oil for biodiesel production and that heterogeneous base catalyst produce higher yield and quality fuel than their homogenous counterpart. Keywords: Degummed, Transeterification, Biodiesel, Catalyst, Raw oil, unsaturation

Highlights

MATERIALS AND METHODMaterials: Fully matured Tropical-almond fruits (Terminalia catappa) were collected within the premises of Ahmadu Bello University main Campus Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
This study investigates the effect of degumming process and catalyst type on physiochemical and biodiesel properties of tropical-almond (Terminalia catappa) seed oil (TCSO) extracted via mechanical pressing and solvent extraction method
It has become imperative to direct focus on mitigating the production cost, which is primarily due to the cost of raw material by the use of low cost feed stock, and determination of the optimum reaction conditions at which increase in the yield of the methyl ester could be achieved in order to supplement the conventional petrol diesel

Summary

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Materials: Fully matured Tropical-almond fruits (Terminalia catappa) were collected within the premises of Ahmadu Bello University main Campus Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The oil/acid mixture was transferred to a holding vessel to settle for 60 minutes after which the degummed oil was separated from its by-products. Sulphuric acid was added for each gram of free fatty acid in the oil and warmed for 15 minutes on a hot plate This mixture was transferred slowly into the 250 cm conical flask containing the oil followed by the addition of methanol (20.0g) and stirred (800 rpm) for 1 hour at 60oC to esterify (Garpen et al, 2004). Biodiesel fuel characterization: Biodiesel properties of raw and degummed Terminalia catappa oil methyl ester were determined according to ASTM (2008) test methods (ASTM D6751). The following properties were measured experimentally: acid value(ASTM D664), density (ASTM D5002), kinematic viscosity (ASTM D445), iodine value, pour point (D5949), cloud point (ASTM D2500), flash point (ASTM D93), cetane number (ASTM D613), oxidative stability (EN14112 ), water and sediment (ASTM D2709), heating value (ASTM D4809) and ash content (ASTM D874 )

AND DISCUSSION

Findings

Conclusion