Evaluation of Biodiesel Blending of Cocos Nucifera Oil Methyl Ester Produced from Alkaline-Catalyzed Transesterification Reaction

Abstract

<em><span lang="EN-ZA">The prospect of using </span><span>cocos nucifera</span><span> Oil for production of biodiesel via transesterification reaction was investigated.</span><span lang="EN-ZA"> The use of ethanol for the transesterification reaction instead of methanol was also evaluated. Test quantities of biodiesel were produced using 100 g, </span><span lang="EN-ZA">20.0% and 0.8% of </span><span>cocos nucifera</span><span> Oil</span><span lang="EN-ZA">, ethanol and potassium hydroxide catalyst respectively at 50 °C</span><span lang="EN-ZA"> reaction temperature and 2 h reaction time. The catalyzed transesterification reaction produced biodiesel yield of 10.4%. In order to produce alternative fuel, the biodiesel produced from the </span><span>cocos nucifera</span><span> Oil </span><span lang="EN-ZA">was subsequently blended with petroleum diesel and the blended properties characterized by ASTM standard fuel tests. The property of the blended alternative fuel was determined by comparing cloud point and pour point of the biodiesel blend</span></em><span lang="EN-ZA">.</span>