Alternative Energy Source in a Developing Country: Biodiesel Option in Nigeria

Abstract

The depleting reserves of petroleum and attendant environmental issues have led to the search for more eco - friendly and renewable fuels. Biodiesel obtained from various renewable sources have been  recognized as one of the alternative fuels due to its biodegradability, high cetane number, no sulphur emissions and low  volatility. In this paper, biodiesel was obtained from waste frying oil (WFO) by esterification to reduce the free fatty acid (FFA) content (determined by standard titration methods) and then transesterified using base catalyzed transesterification method. The WFO had an FFA content of 11.3%. The WFO was esterified hourly (1, 2, 3, 4) for reduction in %FFA until about < 1% FFA was achieved prior to transesterification. The esterified oil was transesterified in batches to establish  optimum conditions for the reaction by varying; time, temperature, stirring speed and methanol to oil molar ratio respectively. The methyl ester yield from the efficient based catalyzed transesterification of WFO were found to be 50oC, 6:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio, 1% w/v catalyst concentration and a reaction time duration of 40 minutes, 96% optimum yield and the result of the FTIR analysis confirms the formation of methyl ester having wavelength of absorption at  2959.475nm, 2784.153nm, 1747.191 and 1469.005 respectively. The fuel properties of the methyl ester produced were compared with set ASTM standards and were found to be in line with the standards.

Keywords: Waste frying oil, co-solvent, Transesterification, Yield, FTIR analysis and Fuel Properties