EVALUATION OF AFRICAN OIL BEAN (PENTACLETHRA MACROPHYLLA BENTH) SEED OIL AS POTENTIAL FEEDSTOCK FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION
Authors: *Osarumwense J.O, Oti E.O, Erhaghewu J.E
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
The global climate crises arising from the negative effect of emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels has led to the search for environmentally friendly alternatives. In this study, the oil extracted from African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth) seeds was investigated as a feedstock for the production of biodiesel. The oil was extracted from the seeds in a soxhlet extractor using n-hexane as the extracting solvent. The acid value, free fatty acid, density and viscosity of the oil were then determined. The oil was pretreated and transesterified using sodium hydroxide as catalyst to produce biodiesel. The results obtained showed that the extraction process resulted in a yield of 36.58% of oil. The acid value, free fatty acid, density and viscosity of the oil obtained were 3.37 mgKOH/g, 1.68%, 0.915 g/cm3 and 8.92 mm2/s respectively. The yield of biodiesel was obtained as 69%. The characterisation of the biodiesel produced revealed that the acid value (0.4107 mgKOH/g), viscosity (3.782 mm2/s), flash point (132 oC) and density (0.8676 g/cm3) were within the standard specified by the ASTM D6751. This is an indication that oil obtained from P. macrophylla oil could be used as feedstock for biodiesel production.
Affiliations: Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Keywords: Pentaclethra Macrophylla, Feedstock, Transesterification, Biodiesel, Viscosity
Published date: 2017/06/30
