Comparative yield analysis of biodiesel from kernel oils of Jatropha curcas and Azadirachta Indica sourced from Zaria Nigeria

Abstract

Comparative analysis of biodiesel from kernel oils of Jatropha curcas and Azadiracta IndicaIndica (Neem) was carried out The seeds of the two plants were collected in August- October 2009 for the study. Biodiesel has attracted immense attention in recent times due to its environmental benefits and the fact that it is made from renewable resources such as vegetable oil of plant origin. The crude oil contents of the two plant seeds, as well as the physicochemical properties of biodiesels extracted from them, were evaluated. results showed that Jatropha curcas seeds contain 52.70±2.91% (dry w/w) and Azadirachta indica seeds, 32.50±2.60% (dry w/w). crude oil respectively. The physicochemical properties of the biodiesel produced from these oils showed that Jatropha biodiesel has low FFA (0.21±0.02%), acid value (0.41±0.02%), specific gravity (0.8867±0.01 g/cm3), viscosity (3.73±0.21mm2/s), saponification value (45.85±0.29 mg/g), iodine value (53.33±4.62 mg/g) and peroxide value (0.32±0.04 meq/l) while Neem biodiesel has FFA (0.28±0.03 %), acid value (0.56±0.05%), specific gravity (0.8831±0.04 g/cm3), viscosity (4.40±0.20 mm2/s), saponification value (53.54±2.95 mg/g), iodine value (47.18±1.17 mg/g) and peroxide value (0.43±0.07 meq/l). When both biodiesels were compared with ASTM and EN standard values, Jatropha biodiesel proved to be of superior quality.