Synthesis of Biodiesel by Transesterification Reaction from Jatropha Curcas Lineu Oil Seed (“Mpuluka”) Collected in City of Uíge, Angola

Abstract

In this work, it was made a study of biodiesel synthesis by transesterification reaction from Jatropha Curcas Lineu Oil (“Mpuluka”) with methanol in the presence of NaOH. First of all a seed treatment and a granulometric study were carried out and it was concluded that the oil content and yield obtained from the extraction do not depend on the particles size of the seed. The Jatropha Curcas oil was obtained by means of a Soxhlet extraction system, using n -hexane. The oil content obtained was 45,32% and its yield was 90,88%. The physicochemical properties analysis of the oil indicates a high acidity index. For this, the synthesis of biodiesel was carried out using two steps: pre-treatment of crude oil before transesterification reaction and the esterification of crude oil followed by transesterification. The best yield in biodiesel (≈60%) was obtained with the molar ratio (oil/alcohol):1/6. The biodiesel obtained falls within admissible limit values of the international quality standards defined by ASTM_D and EN / ISO. In this work, it was made a study of biodiesel synthesis by transesterification reaction from Jatropha Curcas Lineu Oil (“Mpuluka”) with methanol in the presence of NaOH. First of all a seed treatment and a granulometric study were carried out and it was concluded that the oil content and yield obtained from the extraction do not depend on the particles size of the seed. The Jatropha Curcas oil was obtained by means of a Soxhlet extraction system, using n -hexane. The oil content obtained was 45,32% and its yield was 90,88%. The physicochemical properties analysis of the oil indicates a high acidity index. For this, the synthesis of biodiesel was carried out using two steps: pre-treatment of crude oil before transesterification reaction and the esterification of crude oil followed by transesterification. The best yield in biodiesel (≈60%) was obtained with the molar ratio (oil/alcohol):1/6. The biodiesel obtained falls within admissible limit values of the international quality standards defined by ASTM_D and EN / ISO.