THE INFLUENCE OF CARBON CHAIN LENGTH AND UNSATURATION ON PHYSIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF BIODIESEL

The impact of oil classification on various physical and chemical properties of biodiesel were studied. Five vegetable oils with varying numbers of carbon chain, degree of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was used. The vegetable oils were transesterified using sodium hydroxide as catalyst employing standard reaction conditions. This study revealed that some physical (specific gravity, kinematic viscosity, and cloud point) and chemical (acid value, iodine value, and peroxide value) properties of the biodiesel produced increases alongside increase in carbon chain length and degree of unsaturation. The longer saturated carbon chain (groundnut oil) and higher degree of unsaturation (soybean oil) the higher specific gravity, kinematic viscosity, cloud point, acid value, iodine value, and peroxide value of the biodiesel than those produced from shorter saturated carbon chain fatty acid (palm kernel oil, and palm oil) and lower degree of unsaturation (olive oil). These biodiesels will not biologically degrade and is within ASTM common standards and suitable for use as biodiesel with significantly less environmental concerns