CRYSTALLIZATION CHARACTERISTICS OF METHYL TALLOWATE AND ITS BLENDS WITH ETHANOL AND DIESEL FUEL

摘要

Methyl tallowate was prepared from edible beef tallow via transesterification, and was blended with ethanol and/or No. 2 diesel fuel in different ratios. Crystallization characteristics of methyl tallowate and its blends were studied at temperatures ranging from 22 to -16 degrees C. Blending ethanol with methyl tallowate reduced crystal formation at all temperatures. As the temperature of the blends was reduced from 22 to 0 degrees C, there was no effect on crystal formation of saturated vs. unsaturated fatty acids. Below 0 degrees C, the saturated fatty acids crystallized at a much faster rate than the unsaturated fatty acids. [References: 8]