Production and Characterization of Biodiesel from Hybrid Feedstock of Jatropha curcas and Thevetia peruviana Seeds Oil

Abstract

This study elucidates one possible alternative to first generation feedstock used for biodiesel synthesis. The various conventional feedstock for biodiesel production have the conflict of competition as food sources which poses serious food security risks.   Jatropha curcas and yellow oleander seed oils were subjected to in-situ hybridization process at different percentage blend compositions tagged: Y₉₀J₁₀, Y₈₀J₂₀, Y₇₀J₃₀, Y₆₀J₄₀ and Y₅₀J₅₀ before trans esterified to biodiesel. Biodiesel yields were found to be as high as 90.0, 86.1, 90.7, 92.2 and 88.2% for the hybrid blends Y₅₀J₅₀, Y₉₀J₁₀, Y₈₀J₂₀, Y₇₀J₃₀ and Y₆₀J₄₀ respectively. The optimal reaction temperature was 60°C, reaction time of 60 minutes, using 1% (w/w) KOH catalyst.  Characterization of all synthesized biodiesel samples indicates fuel properties that are within the stipulated ASTM limits for fuel-grade biodiesels, except that high cloud points were observed in Y₁₀₀ and J₁₀₀. The least cloud point was observed for biodiesel from hybrid oil blend Y₅₀J₅₀. The FTIR spectra of the fatty acid methyl esters of both oils and of their various blends confirms the presence of the major functional groups characteristics of bio-based diesel fuel.