Abstract

Biodiesel was prepared through alkali-catalysed transesterification of neem seed oil using sodium hydroxide as catalyst and ethanol. This process of was carried out firstly throuch eserification and then via transesterification. The process was carried out by varying stirring speed (350, 450, 550, 650, 750 and 850 rpm.) and keeping other variables constant (temperature of 60oC, catalyst concentration of 1w/w% and 6:1 oil to ethanol molar ratio). In this research work, a yield of 93w/w% was achieved at the stirring speed of 850 rpm. It was observed that the viscosity (3.73mm2 /s at 400C) of neem oil methylester generated was within the limit (2-6mm2 /s) specified by the American Society for Testing and Materials Standards. The density of neem biodiesel at ambient temperature (250C) was found to be 0.85g/ml, which is exactly close to the density of diesel (0.83g/ml). The Flash Point of the neem oil biodiesel produced was 153.60C which above the ASTM D6751 minimum standards for biodiesel fuel of 130oC. Furthermore, Neem oil biodiesel has a pour point of -4 0C and a cloud point of 20C. These values clearly indicate that the use of neem oil methyl esters in colder regions is limited. However, this value is also indicative of the high potential of this fuel as biodiesel particularly in Northern Nigeria where temperature is always above 20oC, a temperature at which the oil is fluid.

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