Production of biodiesel using novel C. lepodita oil in the presence of heterogeneous solid catalyst
C.L. Obi, Millicent Uzoamaka Ibezim-Ezeani, Ebere Jane Nwagbo
Abstract
Present study was designed to produce biodiesel using <em>Cola lepidota </em>seed oil in the presence of clay catalyst. The extraction was done in petroleum ether and oil was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. The biodiesel produced, was characterized for specific gravity, kinematic viscosity, American petroleum index (API) gravity, flash point, cloud point, aniline point and diesel index. The result from FTIR shows that there was C-N stretching aliphatic amine at 1072.46 cm<sup>-1</sup>, CH<sub>2</sub>X alkyl halides at 1226.77 cm<sup>-1</sup>, C-C stretching (in ring) aromatics at 1442.80 cm<sup>-1</sup>, N-O asymmetric stretching nitro compounds at 1527.67cm<sup>-1</sup>, C=C stretching α, β unsaturated esters at 1712.85 cm<sup>-1</sup>, C-C stretching aromatics at 2924.18 cm<sup>-1</sup>, O-H stretch or free hydroxyl alcohols or phenols at 3610.86 cm<sup>-1</sup>. The oil yield was 1.76%. The result revealed that the biodiesel showed the following properties; specific gravity (0.862 g/cm<sup>3</sup>), viscosity (4.8mm<sup>2</sup>/sec), API (30.24 <sup>o</sup>C), flash point (80 <sup>o</sup>C), cloud point (-2 <sup>o</sup>C), aniline point (68 <sup>o</sup>C) and diesel index (1.424). These values were within the recommended limits of American Standard for Testing Material (ASTM D6751). This study reveals that <em>C. lepidota</em> oil is a veritable precursor for biodiesel production and other industrial applications.