Forage turnip, sunflower, and soybean biodiesel obtained by ethanol synthesis: Production protocols and thermal behavior

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) Vol. 89; no. 12; pp. 3725 - 3729
• Main Authors: Soares, C.M., Itavo, L.C.V., Dias, A.M., Arruda, E.J., Delben, A.A.S.T., Oliveira, S.L., de Oliveira, L.C.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biodiesel; Conversion; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Ethanol; Ethyl alcohol; Exact sciences and technology; Forages; Fuels; Helianthus; Soybeans; Sunflowers; Thermal analysis; Thermal decomposition; Vegetable oils; Vegetable oils; Thermal analysis; Ethanol; Biodiesel; Diesel fuel; Thermal decomposition; Thermal behavior; Biofuel; Vegetable oil; Ethanolysis; Fatty acids; Chemical conversion; Sunflower oil; Castor oil; Reaction time; Chemical composition; Soybean oil; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2010.07.024

In this work it is reported a detailed investigation of the effect of different production protocols based on alkaline ethanolysis on conversion yield of forage turnip, soybean, sunflower, and castor oil into the respective biodiesel. Parameters such as catalyst contents, reaction times and temperatures were evaluated. Additionally, it was also investigated the relationship between the conversion yield and the chemical composition of the fatty acids in the feedstock. Conversion yields ranging between 70% and 100% point out the viability of the production of biodiesel using ethanol. Based on thermal analysis, sequential steps of weight loss were observed indicating that biodiesel undergoes oxidative thermal decomposition with the elimination of different portions of the molecules in each step. Besides, the energies released by the samples during thermal decomposition were determined.