Producing and Testing the Properties of Biodiesel Sourced from Hemp Oil

Organic matter is converted into a variety of fuels, including potential replacements for transport fuels. New sources of raw materials are being sought for their acquisition. One such raw material that is currently attracting a growing degree of attention is hemp. The objective of this study was to produce biodiesel from hemp oil to ascertain its selected properties and to compare them with the properties of biodiesel obtained from rapeseed oil and the properties of diesel fuel. A reactor designed for the non-industrial, local conversion of available raw materials into fatty acid esters was used for the manufacture of biodiesel. The properties of hemp oil biodiesel were evaluated in comparison with those of rapeseed oil biodiesel, with properties of diesel fuel, and with the requirements set forth in the EN 14214 standard, pertaining to the specification of fatty acid methyl esters for utilization in compression-ignition internal combustion engines. The kinematic viscosity value of the hemp oil biodiesel yielded just below the upper limit defined in the standard. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that such biodiesel contains a considerable proportion of esters of linoleic and linolenic acids, which are susceptible to oxidation. The content of linolenic acid ester in esters produced from hemp oil is clearly higher than the content of this ester in esters obtained from rapeseed oil. This higher content contributes to the high value of the iodine number, significantly exceeding the standard requirements. The remaining designated properties of hemp oil biodiesel are in accordance with the requirements laid down in the standard and exhibit similarities to those of rapeseed oil biodiesel. Further research is recommended to enhance the characteristics of hemp oil biodiesel and its utilization in compression-ignition engines.