Biodiesel Quality Improvement by Mixing the Azadirachta indica and Moringa stenopetala Seed Oil (In Situ Hybridization) Via Transesterification Process

Biodiesel is conceived as a renewable, environmentally benign, alternative, cleaner, biodegradable, and greener fuel derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, and algae, superseding non-renewable petroleum products. Hybridization of vegetable oil has not been widely examined to produce biodiesel with ameliorated quality. Hence, this study aims at hybridizing Azadirachta indica and Moringa stenopetala seed oils to produce biodiesel with improved quality. The Box-Behnken Design was used in the design of the experiment and analysis of results. Catalyst dose, oil hybridization ratio, and reaction time were considered experimental factors with 3 levels: -1(low), 0(medium), and +1(maximum); whereas, agitation speed, oil-to-methanol molar ratio, and reaction temperature were kept constant. The oil hybridization ratios were: A25M75 (25% A. indica and 75% M. stenopetala oil), A50M50 (50% A. indica and 50% M. stenopetala oil), and A75M25 (75% A. indica and 25% M. stenopetala oil); reaction times: 30, 60, and 90 minutes; and sodium hydroxide doses: 0.50, 2.50, and 3.50%w/v with their respective biodiesel products. Seventeen experimental runs were conducted and the second-order model was developed with P < 0.0001 (significant). The quality and adequacy of the model were determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and determination coefficients: R2 = 0.9986, Pred-R2 = 0.9830, Adj-R2 = 0.9968 and lack of fit test with P = 0.1150 (insignificant), at 5% the least significant difference. The quality of synthesized biodiesel was improved and in agreement with the standard specification for biodiesel, and hence, it can be employed in diesel engines.

Biodiesel Quality Improvement by Mixing the Azadirachta indica and Moringa stenopetala Seed Oil (In Situ Hybridization) Via Transesterification Process Keywords:

Biodiesel , Fuel characteristics , Oil Hybridization , Non-edible oil , Transesterification