Evaluation of Oilseeds for Biodiesel Production

Biofuels are less polluting alternatives because they are not fossil fuels. In Brazil, the biodiesel program aims to incorporate raw vegetable material into conventional diesel oil (2 to 5%) or even replace it entirely as a fuel for adapted diesel engines. As Brazil is one of the largest producers of soybeans in the world, soybeans are the oleaginous plant most used for biodiesel production in Brazil, even if they don’t constitute the best option in relation to the yield of oil produced. The oil content of soybeans is about 19%, while canola and sunflower feature, respectively, 38 and 42% oil. The productivity of oil (in terms of kg/ha) of both canola and sunflower also surpasses soybeans. In addition to the three already mentioned oils (canola, sunflower and soya), coconut and corn oils were studied, totaling five oils. Transesterification was used with ethanol via basic catalysis using sodium hydroxide catalyst. The reaction time was 30 minutes, with the original oils heated to 50C; however, the reactions were carried out at room temperature. The synthesis with coconut oil had the lowest yield; the others (canola, sunflower, maize and soya) achieved yields on the order of 70%.