Study of Physical and Chemical Properties of Blended Biofuel Prepared From 2ndgeneration Feedstock

Abstract

Biodiesel is one the several alternate fuels which has good potential of being used as a fuel for combustion process incompression ignition engines. The fact that biodiesel can be obtained from a renewable source of energy also addresses theproblem of energy security. This research work was based on experiments conducted using Mahua oil biodiesel. Methoxideformed by mixing methanol with potassium hydroxide was used to prepare the biodiesel. Biodiesel was made by using two-step transesterification. A yield of 86% was obtained for Mahua oil. Blends of B5(5% Mahua biodiesel, 95% diesel v/v), B10,B15, B20 and B25 was made from the biodiesel obtained after transesterification. Physical and Chemical properties such as thekinematic viscosity, acid value, flash point and cloud point etc were determined. The two-step transesterification processimproved the cold flow properties of Mahua biodiesel. The results obtained were conclusive of the fact that the blending ofMahua biodiesel and mineral diesel can improve physical and chemical properties as well as the cold-flowproperties of biodiesel.