DefinePK

Abstract

With the growing warning for accrediting the traditional combustion of fossil fuels for energy production, not only for their limited supply but also for their environmental risks (air pollution, climate change, . etc), it became necessary to realize alternative greener and abundant sources for energy. Instead, the interest to sustain biodiesel for the energy production has recently been renewed as a replacement for petroleum diesel in conventional diesel engines. This was due to its renewable nature, low toxicity, high degradability and unique physical properties (high flash points & lubrication). Castor oil, in particular, appeared promising for biodiesel production with extremely low cloud and pour points; making it suitable for tropical climates. Blending petroleum diesel with castor oil biodiesel has been proven efficient for enhancing both the environmental effect and the kinematic flow properties of the mineral fuel. Nonetheless, because of the current market price of conventional diesel, the blended product appeared cost-ineffective; steering research to tune the use of castor oil biodiesel alone. In this study, a simple method is recommended to produce biodiesel from castor oil by a transesterification process. The effect of mixing time of oil and alcohol is optimized with a thorough analysis to optimize the best condition for the biodiesel production.