THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CASTOR OIL (RICINUS COMMUNIS L.) BIODIESEL AND ITS BLENDS

Abstract

In this study, biodiesel (methyl ester) was produced from Castor Oil (Ricinus communis L.) (CO) using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and methanol (CH3OH) by the two-step transesterification method. Nine different fuel blends (2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 75% by volume blending with diesel) were prepared. The density values of Castor Oil Biodiesel (COB) and its blends were measured at the temperature range from 0 to 93°C in steps of 5°C and the kinematic viscosity values of COB and its blends were measured at the temperature range from 30 to 100°C in the steps of 5°C. The results showed that the density, kinematic viscosity, calorific value, flash point, pH, copper strip corrosion and water content of COB are 932.40 kg·m-3, 15.069 mm².s-1, 38.600 MJ·kg-1, 182°C, 7, 1a and 1067.7 mg.kg-1, respectively. The density and kinematic viscosity of fuel samples decrease as temperature increases; and also these properties decrease as a result of the increase in the amount of diesel in the blends.

Keywords

• Óleo de rícino
• Transesterificação
• Propriedades do Combustível
• Biodiesel
• Densidade
• Viscosidade cinemática