Fuel properties of biodiesel produced from selected plant kernel oils indigenous to Botswana: A comparative analysis
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Fuel characteristics of biodiesel derived from kernel oils of Sclerocarya birrea, Tylosema esculentum, Schiziophyton rautanenii and Jatropha curcas plants were investigated in comparison with petroleum diesel. The fuel properties under review include flash point, cloud point, kinematic viscosity, density, calorific value, acid value, and free fatty acids. These were determined and discussed in light of major biodiesel standards such as ASTM D 6751 (American Society for Testing and Materials) and EN 14214 (European standards). The best biofuel in terms of cold flow properties was S. rautanenii, with a cloud point of 0°C and a pour point of -5°C. The good cold flow properties demonstrate operational viability during the cold season. The heating values of S. birrea and S. rautanenii biodiesel fuels were found to be 9.2% and 10.3% lower than that of petroleum diesel while those of T. esculentum and J. curcas were both 9.7% lower. Other fuel properties analysed demonstrate that biodiesel fuels produced from kernel oils of S. birrea, T. esculentum, S. rautanenii and J. curcas plants have properties that are comparable to, and in some cases better than, those of petroleum diesel. The results of this study indicate the feasibility of producing quality biodiesel fuel from indigenous seed oils found in Botswana. A balanced allocation of resources however needs to be established to ensure that the cultivation of these oil-bearing plants does not compete with the cultivation of food crops.
Description
Full text can be accessed at the following link http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148114001268
Highlights
- Of the four biodiesel fuels, Schiziophyton rautanenii has the best cold flow properties.
- Other fuel properties of the biodiesel fuels are comparable to those of petroleum diesel.
- Biodiesel fuels tested met requirements of major international biodiesel standards.
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Citation
Gandure, J., Ketlogetswe, C., & Temu, A. (2014). Fuel properties of biodiesel produced from selected plant kernel oils indigenous to Botswana: A comparative analysis. Renewable Energy, 68, 414-420. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2014.02.035