Production of Biodiesel from Non-Edible Oil and effect of blending with diesel on fuel properties

Biodiesel is gaining more and more importance as an attractive fuel due to the depleting fossil fuel resources. Chemically biodiesel is mono alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from renewable feed stock like edible oils and non edible oils. This paper discusses the production of biodiesel from Egyptian jojoba oil by transesterification with methanol in presence of an alkaline catalyst (KOH) to give the corresponding mono alkyl esters. The variables affecting the yield of the biodiesel produced were studied. The variables investigated were reaction time (0.5-3 .5h), catalyst concentration (0.3-2wt %), temperature (20-65 ˚C) and methanol: oil molar ratio (3:1- 10:1). From the results obtained, the best yield percentage was obtained using a methanol: oil molar ratio of 6:1, KOH as catalyst (0.5%) and 60 ± 1 oC temperature for 3 h. The true yield of biodiesel was determined according to GC-MS. From the results it was clear that the produced biodiesel fuel was in the recommended standards range of biodiesel fuel. Numerical correlation using regression analysis for the true yield of biodiesel produced in terms of the operating conditions of the transesterification process was presented. Finally, some biodiesel properties have been done and compared with pure diesel.