The Cold Temperature Fluidities of Biodiesel Prepared from Vegetable Oil

Abstract

Biodiesels were prepared from five common vegetable oils by transesterification and catalytic cracking. Sample analysis, such as solidification point, cold filter plugging point, and viscosity were carried out. Experimental results showed that the solidification point of the biodiesel by transesterification was higher than that of virgin oil. Viscosity decreased by approximately 83%. Biodiesel derived from sunflower oil and corn oil was similar to that of −10# diesel fuel; other biodiesel samples met 0# diesel except peanut oil. The solidification point of the biodiesel by catalytic cracking was lower than that of transesterification. Viscosity decreased by 91% compared with the virgin oil, the solidification point of biodiesel from sunflower oil and soybean oil were similar to −50# and −35# diesel, respectively. Other biodiesel samples met the solidification point requirement of 0# diesel.

Keywords:

• catalytic cracking
• cold temperature fluidity
• kinematic viscosity
• renewable energy
• synthetical biodiesel