Physical Properties of Crude Oil from Cape Chestnut (Calendrum capense)

Abstract

Physical properties of crude oil from cape chestnut (Calendendrum capense) were determined. The effects of temperature and methods of extraction on some of the properties were analysed. The density of the oil decreased linearly with increase in temperature from 9316 kg/m³ at 100⁰C. Methods of extraction had no significant effect on the density of the oil. The viscosity of the oil decreased exponentially with increase in temperature from 134.7 mm²/s at 10⁰C to 7.5 mm²/s at 100⁰C and was not significantly affected by the methods of extraction. The calorific values of the oil was about 40⁴MJ/kg and its specific heat capacity was less than 2.2 kJ/kg ⁰K whereas thermal conductivity was greater than 1.3 kJ/hr ⁰Km. The ash content of the oils ranged from 0.008% for mechanically extracted oil to 0.106% for chemically extracted oil. The chemically extracted oil had low flash point of 67⁰C compared to the mechanically extracted oil of 215⁰C. The chemically extracted oil had a high pH of 6.0 where as the mechanically extracted oil had a lower pH of 6.0 where as the mechanically extracted oil had a lower pH of 3.7. The oil showed a high potential for use as lubricant and as fuel in diesel engine.

Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology Vol.3(1) 2001: 43-52