Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: May | Volume: 4 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 65-71
Preparation and Characterization of Biodiesel (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) From a Commercial (Soya Bean) Oil
Nkem Ebo1, Jude Orobosa Osarumwense1, Nosa Terry Omorodion2, Clifford Iguodala Owie2
1Department of Science Laboratory Science, University of Benin, Edo state, Nigeria,
2Health Services Department, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: Nosa Terry Omorodion
ABSTRACT
In recent times, the world has been confronted with an energy crisis due to depletion of resources and increased environmental problems. This situation has led to the search for an alternative fuel, which should be not only sustainable, but also environmentally friendly. Biodiesel is a clean burning renewable fuel made from vegetable oils, animal fats and recycled cooking oils and greases. It is an amber yellow liquid. The manufacturing process for biodiesel combines oils and fats with methanol and a catalyst to produce Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) which is commonly referred to as biodiesel. Vegetable oils such as rapeseed, canola, soybean and palm oils are the most common raw materials for biodiesel production. The aim of this work was to prepare and characterize biodiesel from soya-bean (a commercial vegetable) oil. To achieve this aim, the following objectives were focused on: To prepare biodiesel from a refined commercial oil, To separate the by-product (glycerol) from the biodiesel in a biodiesel-glycerol mixture, To purify the biodiesel with water washing method, To characterize the refined biodiesel by determining the density, viscosity, flash and point value of the biodiesel. This project data shown above shows that biodiesel can be a viable replacement for the now dwindling fossil fuel diesel. It is even observed that due to its low emissions; its renewability, and its ease of preparation; it will be a better fuel in combating environmental pollution.
Key words: Biodiesel, Fossil Fuel, Fatty acids.
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