EFFECT OF EXTRACTION METHODS ON FUEL PROPERTIES OF BIODIESEL AND MULTI-BLENDS FROM COCONUT AND PEANUT

The demand for fossil fuels is increasing uncontrollably on daily basis thereby generating high doses of harmful pollutants to the environment through fuel combustion. In that case, there is a need to find an alternative fuel for diesel fuel that can reduce the rate of exhaust emissions and still improve thermal efficiency. The effect of the extraction process on the fuel properties of biodiesel and multi-blends was studied to ascertain its efficiency as a sustainable feedstock for an energy source. The saponification value (13.74, 3.51 mg KOH/g of oil), free fatty acid (11.86, 10.57), iodine value (0.18, 0.27 g I2/100g of oil), viscosity (0.45, 0.07 cSt), density (0.86, 0.60 kg/m3). The oil and biodiesel yield of the mechanical and solvent extracted coconut-peanut are (8.46%, 28.63%) and (33.15%, 86.25%). The mechanical extraction for biodiesel and coconut-peanut-diesel blends (B2.5, B5, B10, B15, B20 and B100) ranged from 1.73-5.9 mm2/s, 1.04-4.31 mm2/s for 40oC and 100oC viscosity; 1.8-9.2oC, cloud point; 0.6-8.4oC, pour point; 93.2-174, flash point; 99-181, fire point; 49.57-75.29 for cetane number. Solvent oil extraction for biodiesel and multi-blends ranged from 1.7-4.45 mm2/s, 0.92-2.12 mm2/s for 40oC and 100oC viscosity; 1.3-5.7oC, cloud point; 0.3-4.3oC, pour point; 91.7-161, flash point; 97-168, fire point; 42.09-75.35 for cetane number. The density of fuel and multi-blends decreases with an increase in temperature. FTIR spectroscopy of Coconut-peanut and blends gave an absorption intensity of OH and C=O in biodiesel compounds. Solvent extraction proved to be a better and more promising technology for biodiesel synthesis than mechanical extraction in most fuel parameters. Nevertheless, the usability of coconut-peanut biodiesel and blends on engine cylinders can be improved by using nanoparticles additives.