Biodiesel production from shea butter: A suitable alternative fuel to premix fuel

This work focused on transesterification of shea butter into biodiesel via double stage acid-alkaline catalysis. It outlined the use of shea butter biodiesel as a substitute for premix fuel for fishing. Upon using 0.8-1.4 wt% KOH catalyst per shea butter weight, a methanol/oil ratio of 4:5 and 2 mL of 95% H2SO4 at 65 degrees C, the optimum biodiesel yield was 74% wt. FTIR was conducted to ascertain the biodiesel composition. Some of the important properties of the biodiesel (density, kinematic viscosity, flash point, cetane number, iodine value, methyl ester content and high heating value) at different temperatures were investigated and compared with the ASTM and EN standards for biodiesel, and No. 2 diesel. The compared values were similar, indicating that the shea butter biodiesel can be used as an alternative to premix fuel.