TITLE:
Comparative Analysis of Physicochemical Properties of Biodiesel Produced from Various Feedstocks
AUTHORS:
Karabo Samuel Matome, Rebaone Kolobeng, Clever Ketlogetswe, Ketshephaone Thutwa
KEYWORDS:
Biodiesel, Feedstock, Physicochemical Properties, Transesterification, ASTM Standards
JOURNAL NAME:
Energy and Power Engineering,
Vol.17 No.4,
April
27,
2025
ABSTRACT: This paper investigates the physicochemical properties of five distinct feedstocks (sunflower seed oil, Jatropha seed oil, beef tallow, pig lard, and used cooking oil) aiming to delineate their significance in biodiesel production. Methodologically, biodiesel production involved transesterification processes tailored to each feedstock’s free fatty acid content. Subsequent property evaluations were conducted according to ASTM biodiesel standards, revealing substantial variations among the feedstock oils. Findings indicated significant differences in fuel density, energy content, flash point, and kinematic viscosity, highlighting the diverse characteristics influencing their suitability for biodiesel production. The highest and lowest values of fuel density differed by 1.15%, recorded for used cooking oil biodiesel and Pig Lard biodiesel, respectively. Meanwhile, pig lard biodiesel recorded the highest values of energy content and kinematic viscosity at 39.93 MJ/kg and 5.9 cSt, respectively. Lastly, the highest value of 176˚C (flash point) was recorded for Jatropha biodiesel. Statistical analysis revealed significant variations confirming the importance of feedstock selection for sustainable biodiesel production. The study’s findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the diverse properties of feedstock oils and their pivotal role in optimizing biodiesel production for enhanced sustainability and performance.