Evaluation of Rapeseed Oil-Based Biofuel Characteristics

The present work focuses on domestic biofuels based on rapeseed oil grown in the Krasnodar region and on its methyl ester produced by transesterification. The study aimed to determine the spectral characteristics, composition, and heat-of-combustion values of these biofuels. FT-IR spectroscopy methods were used to identify functional groups and gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection to determine the fatty acid composition. The analysis of IR spectra confirmed the successful transesterification reaction and revealed insignificant cis-trans isomerisation. The predominance of methyl esters of oleic and linoleic acids in rapeseed oil methyl ester and the low content of erucic acid were determined by the GC-MS method. The heat of combustion of the studied biofuel was determined. The obtained results provided a better understanding of the properties of domestic biofuel and enabled an assessment of its potential for use as an alternative motor fuel. All GC-MS composition values are reported as mean ± SD across three independent batches (n = 3), each analysed in duplicate. The lower heating value was calculated from the measured composition, with a propagated uncertainty of ±0.3 MJ/kg. The necessity of further research on optimisation of the transesterification process and increase of biofuel stability during storage is revealed.