Relationships between Viscosity and Density Measurements of Biodiesel Fuels

Abstract

The viscosity values of vegetable oils vary between 27.2 and 53.6 mm²/s, whereas those of vegetable oil methyl esters between 3.59 and 4.63 mm²/s. The viscosity values of vegetable oil methyl esters highly decreases after transesterification process. Compared to no. 2 diesel fuel, all of the vegetable oil methyl esters were slightly viscous. The flash point values of vegetable oil methyl esters are highly lower than those of vegetable oils. The flash point values of vegetable oil methyl esters are highly lower than those of vegetable oils. An increase in density from 860 to 885 kg/m³ for vegetable oil methyl esters or biodiesels increases the viscosity from 3.59 to 4.63 mm²/s, and the increases are highly regular. There is high regression between density and viscosity values vegetable oil methyl esters. The relationships between viscosity and flash point for vegetable oil methyl esters are irregular. An increase in density from 860 to 885 kg/m³ for vegetable oil methyl esters increases the flash point from 401 to 453 K, and the increases are slightly regular.

Keywords:

• biodiesels
• density
• flash point
• vegetable oils
• viscosity