Rubber Seed Oil Fatty Acid Methyl Esther Synthesis, Engine Performance Evaluation and Emission Analysis

Summary

The shortfalls of fossil fuel, rapid depletion of reserves, nonrenewable, non-biodegradable, low lubricity, emissions of
poisonous gases have resulted in the search for alternative energy source to fill the gap. This research work focused on
synthesis, engine performance evaluation and exhaust gas emission analysis of rubber seed oil biodiesel. The rubber
seed oil was solvent extracted using n-hexane and the physiochemical properties of the oil were characterized based
on ASTM methods. The oil was esterified and then transesterified using sodium hydroxide catalyst. The fuel
properties of the bio-diesel produced were characterized based on ASTM standards. The engine performance and
emission tests were carried out using Perkins 4.108 diesel engine. The oil yield of rubber seed was obtained as 36.2%.
The physiochemical properties of rubber seed oil were obtained as acid value 28.72mgKOH/g, free fatty acid 14.36%,
saponification value 185.66mgKOH/g, iodine value 120.4gI2/100goil, peroxide value 14.62meq/Kg, kinematic
viscosity 60.08mm2
/s @40OC, fire point 180OC, flash point132OC, cloud point 6OC, pour point 2OC, refractive index
1.428, specific gravity 0.92, moisture content 7%, density 920Kg/m3
. The fuel properties of RSOFAME were
determined as density 880Kg/m3
, kinematic viscosity 4.25mm2
/s, cetane number 58.2, flash point 164OC, cloud point
4
OC, water content o.44%, acid value 0.32mgKOH/g, iodine value 72gI2/100goil, pour point 2OC. The engine test
shows that the engine performance characteristics, torque (T), brake thermal efficiency (BTH), and brake power (BP)
RSOFAME are lower than that of the diesel, while the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) is higher. However,
the lower the biodiesel fraction in the blend, the more the engine performance characteristics approximates that of
diesel. Engine exhaust gas emission analysis revealed reduction of CO and HC emission and increase in NOx
emission from the use of RSOFAME compared to diesel.

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