NEEM OIL BIODIESEL : A POTENTIAL DOMESTIC FUEL IN PRESSURERIZED KEROSENE STOVE

Abstract

Biodiesel can be made from a wide range of easily renewable plants oil sources and animal fats even waste oil thrown away by most estaurants and homes. Exploring new energy resources such as biodiesel fuel is of growing importance in recent year. Biodiesel derived from vegetable oil or animal fats, is recommended for use as a suitable alternative for petroleum-based diesel mainly because it is renewable, domestic resources with environmentally friendly emission profile and is readily biodegradable. Neem oil is not used for cooking purposes, but in India and Bangladesh, it is used for preparing cosmetic soaps, hair products and hand creams. Fuel based lighting provides little in return, the problem is most acute in sub-saharan Africa where over 500million people presently lack modern energy. This paper investigated the suitability of Neem oil biodiesel produced as cloud point of 120C, flash point of 1020C and specific gravity was 0.893. Therefore, 15 blends of Neem oil Biodiesel/Kerosene blends were made B90 to B50 were combustible in the pressurized kerosene stove. While B98 to B92 are not combustible. The specific gravity decreased from 0.890 – 0.843 as the volume kerosene to biodiesel increases. Also, the theoretical energy value increases from 2.813KJ to 117.600KJ as volume of kerosene increased. Neem oil Biodiesel/Kerosene blend can reduce theuse of firewood and charcoal in the country thereby saving our forest from depletion