Potential and comparative studies of six non-edible seed oil feedstock's for biodiesel production

Biodiesel is a clean, renewable fuel that is the best alternative to diesel, but feedstock costs more than 70%. Biodiesel development requires cheap feedstock with high oil content. Biodiesel from non-edible plants is cheap, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. In the present work, six different sources were explored with seed oil content including Simmondsia chinensis (51%), Melia Azedarach (42.7%), Pongamia pinnata (42%), Cannabis sativa (39%), Citrus reticulate (29.5%), and Phoenix dactylifera (17%) respectively. The obtained oil contents were higher than previous studies. The quality of biodiesel was assessed by physico-chemical methods, viscosity (2.9-5.7), density (868-910), cetane number (49-58), flashpoint (137-187), and free fatty acid (0.3-1.21). Optimal conditions were implemented for transesterification, to obtain the highest biodiesel yields up to 98%. Through Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry study, 5-7 fatty acids were detected respectively. Through Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and Elemental analyzer analysis, environmental friendly biodiesel was obtained in which sulphur (0.0013-0.0091%), nitrogen (1.41-1.96%), and oxygen content was (9.33-11.43%). All plants have good physicochemical qualities that met American standard testing material D6751 and European norms 14214 standards. The growth of these plants on barren lands as a substitute energy source for the production of biodiesel is supported by our research on a sound scientific basis.