Kalu-Uka, Godwin Mong; Kumar, Sandeep; Kalu-Uka, Abraham Chinedu; Vikram, Shruti; Okorafor, Okore Okay; Kigozi, Moses; Ihekweme, Gina Odochi; Onwualu, Azikiwe Peter published the artcile< Prospects for biodiesel production from Macrotermes nigeriensis: Process optimization and characterization of biodiesel properties>, Category: esters-buliding-blocks, the main research area is biodiesel production macrotermes nigeriensis process optimization.
The use of insects as feedstock for biodiesel production has sparsely been studied and very little is known of the fuel properties and engine performance of insect biodiesel. In this study, biodiesel was initially produced from an insect feedstock M. nigeriensis, then its physicochem. properties were characterized. The biodiesel was produced via the three-step process of lipid extraction, acid esterification (1 wt% H2SO4) and alk. transesterification (0.5 wt% NaOH). The optimal reaction time, temperature and methanol-oil molar ratio for the acid-esterification process resulted in a free fatty acid conversion of 96.58%. The volumetric yield, fatty acid Me esters content and physicochem. properties of M. nigeriensis biodiesel were analyzed using various anal. equipment such as the GC-HRMS, and 1H NMR. Anal. of the production process showed that 86.54 vol% biodiesel was obtained from M. nigeriensis oil. Further anal. showed that the biodiesel contained 96.72% fatty acid Me esters. The composition of the fatty acid Me esters was found to be 48% saturated esters and 52% monosatd. esters. The biodiesel d. (841 kg m-3), viscosity (2.32 mm2 s-1), flash point (125°C), pour point (-15°C), cetane number (51.4), higher heating value (41.8 MJ kg-1) and acid value (0.44 mgKOH.g-1) were in compliance with the ASTM D6751 standards One of the important results to highlight is the remarkably low viscosity of the biodiesel, which is attributed to the high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acid Me esters. Lower viscosity of fuel helps to improve fuel atomization and combustion efficiency, and hence lower emissions. The absence of polyunsaturated fatty acid esters also indicates that the biodiesel will have good oxidation stability.
Biomass and Bioenergy published new progress about Biodiesel fuel. 112-63-0 belongs to class esters-buliding-blocks, and the molecular formula is C19H34O2, Category: esters-buliding-blocks.
Referemce:
Ester – Wikipedia,
Ester – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics