Lee Keat Teong

Supercritical fluid reactive extraction of Jatropha curcas L. seeds with methanol: A novel biodiesel production method

The novel biodiesel production technology using supercritical reactive extraction from Jatropha curcas L. oil seeds in this study has a promising role to fill as a more cost-effective processing technology. Compared to traditional biodiesel production method, supercritical reactive extraction can successfully carry out the extraction of oil and subsequent esterification/transesterification process to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) simultaneously in a relatively short total operating time (45-80 min). Particle size of the seeds (0.5-2.0 mm) and reaction temperature/pressure (200-300 degrees C) are two primary factors being investigated. With 300 degrees C reaction temperature, 240 MPa operating pressure, 10.0 ml/g methanol to solid ratio and 2.5 ml/g of n-hexane to seed ratio, optimum oil extraction efficiency and FAME yield can reach up to 105.3% v/v and 103.5% w/w, respectively which exceeded theoretical yield calculated based on n-hexane Soxhlet extraction of Jatropha oil seeds.

The production, optimization, and characterization of biodiesel from a novel source: Sinapis alba L.

In this study, biodiesel is prepared from Sinapis alba L. oil commonly known as white mustard through transesterification of the crude oil with methanol in the presence of NaOH as catalyst. Optimum conditions for the reaction were established to achieve maximum biodiesel yield of 92% at 6:1 molar ratio (methanol to oil), by using 0.5 g of NaOH, reaction temperature 65°C, and reaction time 75 minutes. Sinapis alba oil biodiesel (SAOB) was testified by using various fuel properties such as kinematic viscosity at 40°C (5.45 cSt), density at 15°C (0.8721 kg/L), acid number (0.242 mg KOH/gm), flash point (90°C), cloud point (−10°C), pour point (−13°C), and sulfur contents (0.00432%). Based on these findings, it is stated that SAOB can be used as alternative fuel in diesel engines.

Prospects and Potential of Green Fuel from some Non Traditional Seed Oils Used as Biodiesel

Today’s diesel engines require a clean-burning, stable fuel that performs well under a variety of operating conditions. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that can be used directly in any existing, unmodified diesel engine. Because it has similar properties to petroleum diesel fuel, biodiesel can be blended in any ratio with petroleum diesel fuel. Many federal and state fleet vehicles in USA are already using biodiesel blends in their existing diesel engines (Harwood, 1981). The low emissions of biodiesel make it an ideal fuel for use in marine areas, national parks and forests, and heavily polluted cities. Biodiesel has many advantages as a transport fuel. For example, biodiesel can be produced from domestically grown oilseed plants. Producing biodiesel from domestic crops reduces the dependence on foreign petroleum, increases agricultural revenue, and creates jobs.

Distaff Thistle Oil: A Possible New Non-Edible Feedstock for Bioenergy

The present work examines the production of biodiesel from distaff thistle (Carthamus lanatus L.) using alkali catalyzed transesterification. The low acid value (0.14 mg KOH/g) and free fatty acid (FFA) contents (2.81%) of distaff thistle oil (DTO) determined prior to transesterification indicated that the pretreatment of raw oil with acid is not required for biodiesel synthesis. The optimum operating reaction conditions of methanol to oil molar ratio (5:1), catalyst concentration (0.64%) and temperature (60°C) were applied during the transesterification to obtain the highest biodiesel yield of 97%. We have determined various fuel properties of distaff thistle oil biodiesel (DTOB) including kinematic viscosity (5.85@ 40°C c St), acid value (0.14 mg KOH/g), density (0.8980@40°C Kg/L), cetane number (50), flash point (126°C), cloud point (10°C), pour point (15°C) and distillation characteristics (358 @ 90% recovery °C). The values of fuel properties were found to be comparable with mineral diesel and in agreements with ASTM biodiesel standards. In addition to this, the synthesized fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were confirmed and characterized by Gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), Fourier transform-Infra red (FT-IR), 1H NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance) and 13C NMR analyses. Our results conclude that DTO appears to be an acceptable new non-edible oil feedstock for biodiesel industry.

Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Carthamus Tinctorius L. CV.Thori 78: A Novel Cultivar of Safflower Crop

In the present work, the potential of novel cultivar of safflower seed crop with highest 52% oil contents is evaluated for the first time as a feedstock for biodiesel synthesis. The specific aim of this study was to optimize the transesterification process for maximum biodiesel yield using different parameters and to evaluate its fuel compatibility with mineral diesel. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) of safflower oil were produced by standard transesterification process using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as catalyst. Optimum biodiesel yield of 98% achieved at 65°C, 5:1 methanol: oil molar ratio, 0.32 g catalyst concentration, and reaction time of 80 min. The kinematic viscosity@ 40°C (cSt), flash point, sulfur contents (wt%), pour point and cloud point of pure safflower oil biodiesel (SOB) were found to be 5.32 mm2/s, 80°C, 0.00041%, –9°C and –11°C, respectively. These together with other fuel parameters were in accordance with ASTM standards. The results obtained indicate that SOB appears to be the potential feedstock for biodiesel production and can be used as an alternate source of fuel in diesel engines.