Blending feedstock — Fresh approach in biodiesel development: Moringa and Jatropha seed oils

Abstract

The search for improvement in the development of biomass and bio-fuels as renewable energy sources has continued for some time. Biodiesel fuels from different crude vegetable oils have been explored and evaluated as sustainable or unsustainable fuel energy sources. The fuel properties of feed stocks vary from sources, physico-chemical configuration and biological compositions and so with processes such as blending, these properties may be improved. In this study, two selected feed stocks “Moringa oleifeara” (MO) and “Jatropha curcas” (JC) seed oils and their methyl esters (biodiesel) were subjected to experimental processes in varying proportions. The s compositions were J₅₀M₅₀, J₄₀M₁₀, J₃₀M₂₀, J₂₀M₃₀, and J₁₀M₄₀ from crude oil samples (in situ) and: BM₅₀J₅₀, BM₄₀J₁₀, BM₃₀J₂₀, BM₂₀J₃₀ and BM₁₀J₄₀ from produced biodiesel by transesterification (ex-situ) using production variables and optimisation sequences. The produced results were evaluated for chemo-physical and thermal properties using ASTM and SANS standards for each specific test(s). Results disclosed the efficacy of splicing in improving specific biodiesel properties as fuels. Specific tests includes, viscosity, specific gravity, refractive index, cetane index, fatty acid composition, free and total glycerine, free fatty acid composition, flash point, pour and cloud points and calorific values. These were all higher and better than the single stock biodiesel fuels. MO biodiesel, which has proved itself an excellent fuel in the writers' previous studies having high oleic acid content (> 70%, impacted positively on JC in enhancing its potential with positive correlation at a 95% confidence level (a > 0.05) and on analysis of variation (ANOVA). This is a new approach in biodiesel development, as studies of this nature are scarce in literatures. Mixing biodiesel feedstock in situ and ex situ will no doubt give rise to new products of improved energy qualities that may bring about a much needed difference in the biodiesel industry.