PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF BIODIESEL FROM CASTOR OIL

This study produced and characterized biodiesel from Castor seed oil by acid-catalyzed transesterification reaction. Castor oil was extracted from Castor seed purchased from the Eke Ekwulobia market by solvent extraction method using n-hexane as extracting solvent. The extracted oil was characterized to determine acid value0.6mg/g, iodine value 76.2mg/g, saponification value 179.52mg/g, specific gravity 0.92, free fatty acid 1.68%, and percentage oil yield 33.30%. It was found that castor seed oil could be used directly in biodiesel production because of its low free fatty acid content. Furthermore, the characterized Castor seed oil was transesterified to biodiesel and subsequently analyzed for fuel properties. From the tests, moisture content was found to be 5.00mm/s, cloud point 10°C, and flash point 120°C. These values were in close agreement with the ASTM criteria for biodiesel. Castor seed oil is recommended as a good feedstock for biodiesel production.