Production and selected fuel properties of biodiesel from promising non-edible oils: Euphorbia lathyris L., Sapium sebiferum L. and Jatropha curcas L

Bioresour Technol. 2011 Jan;102(2):1194-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.09.066. Epub 2010 Sep 21.

Abstract

A comparative study on the composition, biodiesel production and fuel properties of non-edible oils from Euphorbia lathyris L. (EL), Sapium sebiferum L. (SS), and Jatropha curcas L. (JC) was conducted. Under optimal conditions, the FAME content and yield of the three oils were greater than 97.5 wt.% and 84.0%, respectively. The best biodiesel was produced from EL due to its high monounsaturation (82.66 wt.%, Cn: 1), low polyunsaturation (6.49 wt.%, Cn: 2, 3) and appropriate proportion of saturated components (8.78 wt.%, Cn: 0). Namely, EL biodiesel possessed a cetane number of 59.6, an oxidation stability of 10.4 h and a cold filter plug point of -11 °C. However, the cetane number (40.2) and oxidative stability (0.8 h) of dewaxed SS kernel oil (DSSK) biodiesel were low due to the high polyunsaturation (72.79 wt.%). In general, the results suggest that E. lathyris L. is a promising species for biodiesel feedstock.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biofuels / analysis*
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Catalysis
  • Esterification
  • Euphorbiaceae / chemistry*
  • Hydroxides / chemistry
  • Jatropha / chemistry*
  • Methanol / analysis
  • Plant Oils / chemistry*
  • Potassium Compounds / chemistry
  • Sapium / chemistry*
  • Sulfuric Acids / chemistry
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Biofuels
  • Hydroxides
  • Plant Oils
  • Potassium Compounds
  • Sulfuric Acids
  • sulfuric acid
  • potassium hydroxide
  • Methanol