Article
Preparation and characterisation of Citrulus colocynthis oil biodiesel: Optimisation of alkali-catalysed transesterification
Article first published online: 30 JUL 2013
DOI: 10.1002/cjce.21846
© 2013 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Additional Information
How to Cite
Elsheikh, Y. A., Man, Z., Bustam, M. A., Akhtar, F. H., Yusup, S. and Muhammad, A. (2014), Preparation and characterisation of Citrulus colocynthis oil biodiesel: Optimisation of alkali-catalysed transesterification. Can. J. Chem. Eng., 92: 435–440. doi: 10.1002/cjce.21846
Publication History
- Issue published online: 5 FEB 2014
- Article first published online: 30 JUL 2013
- Manuscript Accepted: 10 JAN 2013
- Manuscript Revised: 8 JAN 2013
- Manuscript Received: 17 NOV 2012
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Keywords:
- Citrulus colocynthis oil;
- biodiesel;
- transesterification;
- alkali catalysts;
- physicochemical properties
Abstract
A non-edible oil of Citrulus colocynthis was investigated as a prospective feedstock for biodiesel production by transesterification reaction with methanol. The content of fatty acid methyl ester in the produced oil obtained by four alkaline-catalysed transesterifications, i.e. sodium hydroxide, sodium methoxide, potassium methoxide and potassium hydroxide was evaluated. Important fuel properties of the produced biodiesel such as ester content, density, kinematic viscosity and acid value were measured and compared. The ester ingredients in the biodiesel product were myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic and linolenic. The best quality of Citrulus colocynthis oil at the highest yield of 97.8% was produced at a constant mixing rate of 600 rpm, methanol/oil molar ratio of 6:1, 60°C reaction temperature for 60 min, using 1.0 wt% of NaOH.