Process optimization for production of biodiesel from croton oil using two-stage process
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Date
2014Author
Osawa, W O
Onyari, J M
Sahoo, P. K
Mulaa, F J
Language
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Croton oil was extracted from dry seeds by a mechanical pressing machine then filtered to remove
solid impurities. Biodiesel was prepared from the oil through a two-stage process in a biodiesel reactor. The
optimum reaction conditions were determined by varying parameters such as temperature, oil:methanol ratio
and amount of catalysts used. The optimum conditions established in this study were temperatures of 50oC and
60oC for esterification and transesterification respectively, methanol:oil ratio of 3:1 and 6:1 for esterification
and transesterification respectively and a base catalyst mass of 1% (w/w) of the oil for transesterification.
Esterification was done for two hours while transesterification was done for one hour. A maximum yield of 88%
biodiesel which had an acid value of 0.336 mg KOH/g, a density of 0.8858 g/cm3 and viscosity of 4.51 cs at
40oC was obtained. The flash point of the biodiesel was greater than 200 oC which made it safer to store and
transport as compared to diesel which had a flash point of 65oC. Both the cloud and pour points of the biodiesel
were lower than that of petro-diesel, implying that its blends were more suitable for lower temperature
operations. All properties of the biodiesel that were tested satisfied the recommended American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM) values.
Citation
Osawa, W. O., et al. "Process optimization for production of biodiesel from croton oil using two-stage process." IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology 8.11 (2014): 49-54.Publisher
University of Nairobi