Physico-Chemical Properties of Biodiesel from Various Feedstocks

Abstract

In this study, plant oils were extracted from a wide variety of seeds to evaluate their potential as possible feedstocks for biodiesel production. The extracted oils were investigated by determining acid value, free fatty acids, tocopherol concentration, iodine value, density, water content and kinematic viscosity, etc. Afterwards, biodiesel was produced through esterification in the presence of methanol by using acid catalyst followed by transesterification with alkali catalyst, particularly when the FFA content of the oil was high. The biodiesel from these feedstocks were then analyzed for their physico-chemical properties such as acid value, tocopherol, iodine value, density, water content, kinematic viscosity, pour point, cloud point, flash point, cold filter plugging point, carbon residue content, oxidation stability, methanol content, and total glycerol, etc. Correlations between biodiesel properties were subsequently evaluated and the obtained results were discussed for improved biodiesel production.