Utilization of some non-edible oil for biodiesel production

In this work, the production of biodiesel from four sources of non-edible oils, namely jatropha, animal fat, waste vegetable oil and castor oil was carried out. It was done using an acid esterification process followed by alkali transesterification in the laboratory. Subsequently the physicochemical properties for four blends B100, B80, B50 and B20 were determined to establish their adherence to the ASTM standard for biodiesel. The percentage yields of the biodiesel from jatropha, animal fats, waste vegetable oil and castor oil were 98, 85, 95 and 90 % respectively. Highest density value was 0.8870g/cm3 for jatropha (B100), while lowest density of 0.8502 g/cm3 /cm3 was obtained from animal fats (B20). The highest value of flash point was 179oC for jatropha (B100), while the lowest flash point was 102oC for animal fats (B20). Viscosity values ranged from 5.254mm2/s for animal fats (B100) to 2.891mm2/s for castor oil (B20), the lowest pour point was -9oC for castor oil (B20), while the highest pour point was 15oC for animal fats (B100). All the physicochemical properties examined in this study were within the ASTM standard range apart from the flash point for animal (B20) which was below the standard range.Keywords: non-edible oil, Jatropha, biodiesel, Alternative fuel, physio-chemical propertie