Production and Characterization of Biodiesel from Jatropha Oil and Neem Oil

Abstract

Transesterification of two oil samples “Jatropha and Neem oils” in methanol was studied with the use of potassium hydroxide as a catalyst. The properties of the produced biodiesel such as flash point, density, pour point and cloud point were measured and compared to the properties of automotive gas oil. The biodiesel produced from Jatropha oil have properties within the acceptable range for automotive gas oil while the Neem biodiesel properties are not within the range. The Neem biodiesel properties obtained are flash point (160OC), density (0.64kg/m3), pour point (10OC), cloud point (15OC) while that for Jatropha biodiesel are flash point (46OC), density (0.42kg/m3), pour point (2OC) and cloud point (3OC) respectively. The fuel properties obtained for Neem biodiesel are higher in value than those obtained for Jatropha biodiesel.