Abstract:
Biodiesel is an alternative energy source and has the promising potential that grows rapidly, due
to its great contribution to the environment, renewable energy resource spectrum, non-toxicity,
biodegradability, and its role as a strategic source of renewable energy to substitute petro diesel
while contributing a minimal amount of net greenhouse gases. Since petroleum resources are
believed to last only for a few decades, alternative sources of biofuel production should be
exploited.
In the present study, the synthesis of biodiesel from Croton macrostachyus Hochst.ex Delile (C.M)
seed oil was investigated in the laboratory setting which can help to increase the use of biodiesel.
After the seed samples are collected and purified, it’s physicochemical properties are determined.
Synthesis of biodiesel process through transesterification method includes C.M seed oil extraction
and CaO-chicken eggshell waste as a heterogeneous catalyst preparation. The effects of catalyst
load from 2% to 6%(w/w) of the weight of oil, ethanol to oil ratio from 9:1 to 12:1(v/v), reaction
temperature from 60 to 80℃, and reaction time 0.45 to 2hr. variations on yield have been
investigated. Central composite design(CCD) using design-expert 11.1.2 was implemented to
characterize, the effects of different process parameters for the synthesis of biodiesel and to find
the optimum conditions to maximize the yield.
The conversion to biodiesel via calcium oxide-heterogeneous catalyzed transesterification route
has achieved 91% yield under the following optimum conditions: reaction temperature of 70℃
ethanol-to-oil ratio of 10.5:1, 1.375hr. of reaction time, and catalyst load of 4%w/w .The
composition and functional groups of synthesized biodiesel under optimum reaction conditions
were confirmed by the FTIR spectrum. Physicochemical properties (density(878kg/m3
), moisture
content (0.047%), kinematic viscosity(3.54mm2
/s), Acid value(0.87mgKOH/g), ash content
(0.023%), saponification number(120mgKOH/g), Iodine value (102.1mgI2/g), higher heating
value(40.2MJ/kg), PH (7.83) and flashpoint (198℃), of synthesized C.M biodiesel are determined
and the results are compared with the biodiesel standard specifications. The result showed that
C.M can be a very viable feedstock for biodiesel industry which could be exploited as an
alternative source of fuel and majority of the fuel properties are in agreement with the standards.
