Optimum Time and Temperature for Biodiesel Production using Melon (Cucumeropsismannii), Groundnut (Arachis Hypogea), and Soybean (Glycine max)

This study investigated the optimum condition for biodiesel production at varying temperatures and time using melon (Cucumeropsismannii), groundnut (Arachis hypogea), and soybean (Glycine max) seed oils. Oil was extracted from Cucumeropsismannii, A. hypogea, and G. max using n-hexane(67.7-69.2oC) as the solvent. Biodiesel was produced from three different seed oils at varying temperatures of 65oC, 55oC, and 45oC at varied durations of 60mins, 50mins, and 40mins. The best percentage yield was obtained at 65oC for the duration of 60 minutes. The transesterification process was not complete at 40 min; however, at 50 min the process was completed. The process also remained incomplete at 45oC.The maximum percentage yield of biodiesel obtained through transesterification was 90.83% for G. max, 78.00%for A. hypogea, and 77.58% for Cucumeropsismannii seedoils. Fuel properties of biodeisels, such as kinematic viscosity, pour point, carbon residue, cloud point, water content, flash point, cetane index, and sulfated ash, were examined. The flashpoint, carbon residue, kinematic viscosity, and water content of biodiesels were within the standard specified for petrol diesel; however, cloud point and pour points of this product were found to be greater than that of petrol diesel. The cetane index of biodiesels was lower than the standard specified for petrol diesel. Additionally, the samples were not found to contain sulfated ash. Therefore, Cucumeropsismannii, A. hypogea), and G. max are goodsources of biodiesel production. Keywords biodiesel, energy, environment, fuel properties, renewable fuel Copyright (c) The Authors