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Synthesis, Calorimetric and Viscometric Study of Groundnut oil Biodiesel and Blends

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Petroleum Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Nigeria, Lamido Zubairu Way, Yola By-Passs. P.M.B. 2250 Yola, Adamawa State, NIGERIA

Res.J.chem.sci., Volume 1, Issue (3), Pages 49-57, June,18 (2011)

Abstract

Biodiesel has become an important fuel in recent times due to its prospects as an alternative source of energy to petroleum fuels. In this research, biodiesel was synthesized form groundnut oil at 65oC via base catalyzed transesterification using KOH as the catalyst. The synthesized fatty acid methyl ester after being washed was blended with petroleum diesel in the following percentage by volume of the biodiesel 2%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% corresponding to B2, B5, B10, B20 and B30 respectively. The heat content of each blend was measured using a bomb calorimeter. The data obtained was analyzed and was found that the heat content of the blend decreases as the percentage of biodiesel in the blendincreases. The research also demonstrates that, the energy output of fuels made from blends of petroleum diesel and groundnut oil biodiesel decreases as the portion of the biodiesel increases.

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