Development and characterization of biodiesel from shea nut butter

A b s t r a c t. Shea nut butter was extracted from shea nut by cold press method and was investigated as feedstock for the production of biodiesel. Biodiesel yield was used to verify the optimization, while density and viscosity were chosen to serve as an indicator for the effectiveness and completeness of the ester conversion process. Based on the amount of shea butter used, the final product yield obtained was 94.55% mass and the percentage conversion of FFA in shea butter to biodiesel was 92.3% using a methanol/oil ratio of 6:1 and 1.0% mass KOH at 60 min and 55°C, respectively. The important properties of the biodiesel (density, kinematic viscosity, cloud point, pour point, cetane number, neutralization number, iodine value, methyl ester content and high heating value) were compared to those of ASTM and EN standards for biodiesel. The comparison shows that the shea butter methyl ester could be used as an alternative to diesel

Combustion, emission and engine performance characteristics of used cooking oil biodiesel--A review

As the environment degrades at an alarming rate, there have been steady calls by most governments following international energy policies for the use of biofuels. One of the biofuels whose use is rapidly expanding is biodiesel. One of the economical sources for biodiesel production which doubles in the reduction of liquid waste and the subsequent burden of sewage treatment is used cooking oil (UCO). However, the products formed during frying, such as free fatty acid and some polymerized triglycerides, can affect the transesterification reaction and the biodiesel properties. This paper attempts to collect and analyze published works mainly in scientific journals about the engine performance, combustion and emissions characteristics of UCO biodiesel on diesel engine. Overall, the engine performance of the UCO biodiesel and its blends was only marginally poorer compared to diesel. From the standpoint of emissions, NOx emissions were slightly higher while un-burnt hydrocarbon (UBHC) emissions were lower for UCO biodiesel when compares to diesel fuel. There were no noticeable differences between UCO biodiesel and fresh oil biodiesel as their engine performances, combustion and emissions characteristics bear a close resemblance. This is probably more closely related to the oxygenated nature of biodiesel which is almost constant for every biodiesel (biodiesel has some level of oxygen bound to its chemical structure) and also to its higher viscosity and lower calorific value, which have a major bearing on spray formation and initial combustion.Used cooking oil Biodiesel Diesel engines Emissions Combustion Engine performance

Technical aspects of production and analysis of biodiesel from used cooking oil--A review

The increasing awareness of the depletion of fossil fuel resources and the environmental benefits of biodiesel fuel has made it more attractive in recent times. The cost of biodiesel, however, is the major hurdle to its commercialization in comparison to petroleum-based diesel fuel. The high cost is primarily due to the raw material, mostly neat vegetable oil. Used cooking oil is one of the economical sources for biodiesel production. However, the products formed during frying, can affect the transesterification reaction and the biodiesel properties. This paper attempts to review various technological methods of biodiesel production from used cooking oil. The analytical methods for high quality biodiesel fuel from used cooking oil like GC, TLC, HPLC, GPC and TGA have also been summarized in this paper. In addition, the specifications provided by different countries are presented. The fuel properties of biodiesel fuel from used cooking oil were also reviewed and compared with those of conventional diesel fuel.Used cooking oil Transesterification Biodiesel Analytical methods

Dataset on the performance characteristics of briquettes from selected agricultural wastes using a piston-type briquetting machine

Densification of agricultural wastes for briquette production has considerable potential to meet the growing energy demand and contribute towards a safe environment worldwide. The datasets contained in this paper are the performance characteristics of raw and torrefied briquettes produced from sawdust (SD), cassava peels (CP), cornhusk (CH), and their blends using a developed piston-type briquetting machine. The physicomechanical, chemical, structural, and combustion indices including the kinetic parameters, were determined using standard methods. The result obtained show that each briquettes sample has the infrared transmittance of C–H, OH, C–O, and C=C with the SD sample having the highest and CP, the lowest. The feedstock mixture and increase in torrefaction temperature enhance the physicomechanical properties of the briquettes through water preconditioning. The combustion characteristics show that the torrefied briquettes and their blends could be co-fired with coal, and are well suited for heating applications and reduce environmental pollution. The activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and R2 values of the briquettes ranged between 39.70–60.76 kJ/mol, 5.52–9.17 min−1, and 0.95–0.98, respectively. The data provided in this paper will therefore be useful for energy enthusiasts and coal engine design, and assist in choosing the appropriate briquette blends with increased calorific value for heating applications

Cleaning cycle optimisation in non-tracking ground mounted solar PV systems using Particle Swarm Optimisation

The effect of installation azimuth angle in the optimization of the cleaning cycle of a solar photovoltaic plant was experimentally investigated in this study. The optimum cleaning cycle was determined using Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm cognizance of the fact that different orientations have different soiling rates. Soiling rates on three different azimuth configurations were experimentally investigated and an exponential soiling loss model was developed for each configuration for use in the optimization problem. Azimuth angle differences of ±12.5% were found to have a significant influence on soiling of as much as 28.29% for the selected location. The North of North West configuration was found to be optimal as opposed to the generally accepted North configuration for maximum energy generation at a minimum cost of energy. This configuration generated 0.87% more energy at unit energy cost of $0.093 compared to the North configuration which had a minimum cost of$0.113. The optimized cleaning cycles were 35 days for the optimal configuration while the North configuration had an optimized cleaning cycle of 28 days. A 17.7% difference in the cost of energy was recorded due the influence of soiling. The study revealed that for minimizing the unit energy cost, it is necessary to take into effect the influence of soiling

Comparative study of the use of natural and artificial coagulants for the treatment of sullage (domestic wastewater)

This work presented a comparative study of the effectiveness of natural coagulant (Moringa oleifera and hydrolyzed cassava) extracts and artificial coagulant (alum) as primary coagulants for sullage from homes and cafeteria at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Stock solutions of these coagulants were prepared, and jar test of their varying mixing ratios used to obtain optimum dosages of 200, 30 and 1,000 mg/l for Moringa, alum and cassava respectively. The effects of these optimum dosages were tested against turbidity, pH, BOD, nutrients, hardness and coli form. All tested parameters were significantly sensitive to concentrations of used stock solutions. 100% Moringa seed extract resulted in all the treated parameters (except turbidity) being within tolerable limits. The stock solution of 100% Alum also showed all tested parameters (except pH) to be within the standards for drinking water. The combination of Moringa and alum stock solutions at 50% each (A50M50) showed the overall best result with the resultant water fit for drinking. The result of the comparative test showed that alum with its residual and health implications can be successfully replaced, partially or wholly, with natural coagulants

Reducing the energy demand of cellulosic ethanol through salt extractive distillation enabled by electrodialysis

One of the main challenges when a biochemical conversion technique is employed to produce cellulosic ethanol is the low concentration of ethanol in the fermentation broth, which increases the energy demand for recovering and purifying ethanol to fuel grade. In this study, two design cases implementing salt extractive distillation – with salt recovery enabled by a novel scheme of electrodialysis and spray drying – along with heat integrated distillation techniques of double-effect distillation and direct vapor recompression are investigated through process simulation with Aspen Plus® 2006.5 for reducing the thermal energy demand. Conventional distillation along with molecular sieve based dehydration is considered as the base case. Salt extractive distillation along with direct vapor recompression is found to be the most economical ethanol recovery approach for cellulosic ethanol with a thermal energy demand of 7.1 MJ/L (natural gas energy equivalents, higher heating value), which corresponds to a thermal energy savings of 23% and cost savings of 12% relative to the base case separation train thermal energy demand and total annual cost