Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties of Biodiesel Produced From Some Vegetable Oils of Nigeria Origin

Abstract

The non-edible vegetable oils of Jatropha curcas, neem, castor, rubber and edible oils of soyabean and cotton were investigated for their use as biodiesel feedstock. The analysis of different oil properties, fuel properties of non-edible and edible vegetable oils were investigated in detail. A two-step and transesterification process was used to produce biodiesel from high free fatty acid (FFA) non-edible oils and edible vegetable oils respectively. This process gives yields of 96.1 – 98.5 % of biodiesel using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as a catalyst. The fuel properties of biodiesel
produced were compared with diesel. The properties of the oils analysed showed that biodiesel from non-edible and edible vegetable oil are comparable with ASTM biodiesel standards and is
quiet suitable as an alternative to diesel.

Keywords: Biodiesel, Edible oil, Non Edible oil, Transesterification.