Biodiesel production from Neem seeds (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) oil by its base-catalyzed Transesterification and its Blending with Diesel

摘要

Biodiesel, a non-toxic, biodegradable and renewable fuel can be a solution to non-environmentally friendly and exhaustible fossil fuels. The triglycerides transesterification is the most used process in the biodiesel production. However, the blending of the oil with diesel is also used. Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) seeds oil (NSO), a non-edible oil available in large quantities in Senegal may be a second generation feedstock for biofuel production. In this research, the study is focused on its transformation into biodiesel by NaOH catalyzed transesterification and its blending with diesel. The NSO physicochemical properties were determined and compared to those of diesel. The NSO consists of four major fatty acids: oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), stearic acid (C18:0) and palmitic acid (C16:0). These fatty acids represent 95.80% of all the fatty acids present in the NSO. The study of the effect of catalyst level, performed at 75-C and for molar ratio alcohol-oil 6:1 has revealedthat a rate catalyst of 1% (w/w_(oil)) is more effective. The kinetic study of the reaction confirmed the hight speed of the formation of the ethyl esters (NSOB) with conversion maximum rate achieved after 90 minutes. The physical and thermal properties of neem seeds oil biodiel (NSOB) are close to those of diesel. However, those of the SNO-diesel blend (NSODB) are closer to those of the diesel.