Physicochemical Analysis and Characterization of Biodiesel Produced From Soya Bean (Glycine max) Oil.

Physicochemical analysis of Biodiesel produced from soya bean oil was carried out in order to ascertain the quality of the biodiesel produced as regards its physical and chemical parameters which includes visual appearance, colour, cloud point, flash point, pour point, cetane index, diesel index, kinematic velocity and calorific value. The oil was extracted from 60g of soya bean seeds (Glycine max) using the soxhlet method of extraction. Biodiesel which is biodegradable was therefore produced by chemical reaction of the oil with a methoxide solution containing 7cm3 of methanol and 0.2g of Sodium Hydroxide as the catalyst through a process called transesterification. Two products were obtained, the glycerin which is denser settled at the bottom while the fatty acid methyl esters was found to be on the top. 8.4cm3 of biodiesel and 3cm3of glycerin was recovered, the yield of biodiesel was calculated to be 50.74% and then it was subjected to physicochemical analysis to ascertain its quality. The properties of biodiesel was tested and found to be in confinement with the ASTM D6751 specification for biodiesel fuels and the results obtained with test methods used for colour and appearance was established to be a yellowish and clear liquid (visual), cloud point +8OC (D5773), pour point +4OC (D5950) and acid value 0.3 mg/KOH/g (titrimetric). Based on the result for the cloud and pour point of the produced biodiesel, B100 (100% biodiesel) can be used in Nigeria with no challenge as compared to country like Russia where their temperature is extremely cold which could cause biodiesel to gel and then solidify.