Physical and Chemical Characterization of Waste Frying Palm Oil Biodiesel and its Blends with Diesel

In this paper, mainly characterization of biodiesel derived from waste frying palm oil and its blends with diesel fuel has been reported. The waste or used frying palm oil which was collected from fast food centres and restaurants was transformed to biodiesel by the transesterification process in the presence of sodium hydroxide catalyst. Methanol and palm oil were used in the proportion 6:1 molar ratio. The yield of Waste Frying Palm Oil Methyl Ester (WFPOME) obtained was 95.7%. Major fuel properties such as kinematic viscosity, density, lower calorific value, flash point and fire point were evaluated as per ASTM standards for B100 (or biodiesel) and its blends with diesel like B20, B40, B60, B80 and compared to B0 (pure diesel). Density (0.875 g/cc), kinematic viscosity at 40 degrees C (7.7 mm(2)/s), cetane number (62), and flashpoint (127 degrees C) of biodiesel were observed to be higher but the calorific value (37.78 MJ/kg) was lower than that of diesel fuel. The WFPOME fuel properties were improved significantly by mixing with diesel fuel. It is concluded that WFPOME is a suitable and substantial raw material for production of second generation biodiesel. The blends B20 and B40 showed similarity with diesel fuel properties and they can be used as alternative CI engine fuel for better performance.