J. Subashini, T. Senthilkumar, S. Sahaya Jude Dhas
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study proposes the acid-catalyzed pretreatment followed by alkaline-catalyzed transesterification technique for the successful production and characterization of kapok oil methyl ester (biodiesel), and demonstrates its potential as a viable feedstock due to its high free fatty acid (FFA) content. The entire procedure was systematically monitored to determine the optimum conditions for biodiesel production. The biodiesel yield depends on the type of alcohol used, the molar ratio of alcohol to oil, the type and concentration of catalyst, reaction time, and the water content of the oils and fats. The viscosity of kapok methyl ester (KME) was reduced by approximately 85% compared to raw kapok seed oil. The flash and fire points of KME are higher than those of conventional diesel fuel. Additionally, the calorific value, cetane number, and other fuel properties of KME are comparable to those of diesel. The oxidative stability of KME was found to be 12.3 h, which is higher than the specified values in ASTM D6751. This indicates greater resistance to oxidation, improved storage stability, longer shelf life, and a lower risk of deposit formation. These results validate kapok seed oil as a sustainable, nonedible, and affordable feedstock for the generation of biodiesel. Further research on engine performance, emission profiles, and long-term stability is suggested in order to confirm KME's viability for practical energy applications. It has been established that the KME satisfies the fuel characteristics requirements, making it a highly appropriate substitute for diesel.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (JAOCS) is an international peer-reviewed journal that publishes significant original scientific research and technological advances on fats, oils, oilseed proteins, and related materials through original research articles, invited reviews, short communications, and letters to the editor. We seek to publish reports that will significantly advance scientific understanding through hypothesis driven research, innovations, and important new information pertaining to analysis, properties, processing, products, and applications of these food and industrial resources. Breakthroughs in food science and technology, biotechnology (including genomics, biomechanisms, biocatalysis and bioprocessing), and industrial products and applications are particularly appropriate.
JAOCS also considers reports on the lipid composition of new, unique, and traditional sources of lipids that definitively address a research hypothesis and advances scientific understanding. However, the genus and species of the source must be verified by appropriate means of classification. In addition, the GPS location of the harvested materials and seed or vegetative samples should be deposited in an accredited germplasm repository. Compositional data suitable for Original Research Articles must embody replicated estimate of tissue constituents, such as oil, protein, carbohydrate, fatty acid, phospholipid, tocopherol, sterol, and carotenoid compositions. Other components unique to the specific plant or animal source may be reported. Furthermore, lipid composition papers should incorporate elements of yeartoyear, environmental, and/ or cultivar variations through use of appropriate statistical analyses.
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