Fuel property of biodiesel and petrodiesel mix: experiment with biodiesel from yellow oleander seed oil

Abstract

Biodiesel (a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters) was prepared by transesterification of yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) seed oil in methanol by batch reaction using a heterogeneous catalyst derived from Musa balbisiana to afford 95 wt% yield at 32°C in 3 h. The biodiesel so prepared has high Cetane Number, is free from sulfur, and it conforms to ASTM D-6751 and EN 14214 standards. Combustion properties of different mixes of this biodiesel with BS-III / EURO-III petrodiesel at 5 v/v% [B5], 10 v/v% [B10], 15 v/v% [B15] and 20 v/v% [B20] were evaluated and were found to be highly compatible with commercial diesel engines. Physicochemical properties like Inorganic Acidity and Total Acidity [P-20], Ash Content [ASTM D-482], Ramsbottom Carbon Residue [ASTM D-524], Cetane Number [ASTM D-613], Cetane Index [ASTM D-976], IBP, FBP and Recovery@360°C [ASTM D -86], Flash Point [IS-1448 P-20], Kinematic Viscosity@40°C [ASTM D-445], Density@15°C [ASTM D-1298], CFPP (Summer) [ASTM D-6371] and Water Content [ASTM D-1533] have been evaluated in the Quality Control Laboratory of Guwahati Refinery, IOCL. Total Contamination [DIN 51419], Oxidation Stability [ASTM D-2274], Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon [IP-391] and Lubricity: Corrected Scar Wear Diameter (W SD) @ 60°C [ASTM D-6079] are determined by ASTM, IP, BIS, DIN-methods.

Keywords:

• Thevetia peruviana
• Musa balbisiana
• quality control
• petrodiesel
• biodiesel

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the facilities provided by the Quality Control Laboratory, IOC Ltd. Guwahati Refinery (NABL accredited). The authors specially thank Mr H.K. Bora (ex-QCM) & Mr N.K. Barua (DGM) as well as GM & ED-Guwahati Refinery for their permission to carry out the experiments in the Quality Control Laboratory.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).