Evaluation of physicochemical characteristics of Mahua (Madhuca indica) and Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) dual biodiesel blends with diesel

Abstract

In the present research, biodiesels were prepared from Mahua and Jatropha oil by two-step transesterification. The physicochemical characteristics (viz. density, acid value, iodine value, kinematic viscosity, cloud-pour point, fire-flash point) of prepared biodiesels were evaluated. Finally, the prepared biodiesels were blended with mineral diesel in different proportion and physicochemical characteristics of blended dual biofuel sample blends were also evaluated in order to determine the best blend. The results revealed that the dual biofuel samples met the requirements of EN-14214 (Europe standards), ASTM D-6751 (USA standards) and IS-15607 (India standards). A set of regression equations were also formulated, this mathematical model revealed that different physicochemical properties had high values of the regression coefficient (R2) up to 0.986 for various proportions of blend samples. The obtained results have shown that the pre-treatment process can effectively reduce the free fatty acid value to less than 1% for biodiesels. Further, the values of density and kinematic viscosity were found to be better for sample blends B10, B20, and B30, while B40 was on the upper-end limit and B50 was found to be out of limit range. Furthermore, it was concluded that the sample blends B30 (with 15% blending of each biodiesel) and B40 (with 20% blending of each biodiesel) had better properties and can be used further to test their fuel combustion characteristics on a diesel engine.