DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND TESTING OF A PILOT PLANT FOR PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM JATROPHA CURCAS OIL
Publication Date : 01/02/2011
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Abstract :
A pilot plant for production of biodiesel from Jatropha Curcas oil was designed and constructed. The pilot plant was tested and a sample of the biodiesel produced from the pilot plant was analysed by Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) Ltd. The results of the analysis showed that Boiling Point, Flash Point, Pour Point, Cetane Number, Kinematic Viscosity, Specific gravity and sludge (water and sediments) were all within ASTM standard for biodiesel. However, the Cloud point was 6% higher than the ASTM standard while the sulphur content 0.02% (by wt) was much higher than the ASTM standard. With an input of 30 litres of Jatropha oil and 6 litres of methanol 27 litres of biodiesel was produced, a yield of 90% .This is in agreement with biodiesel yields of 90% and 92% obtained by other authors. The total batch time for producing 27 litres of the biodiesel is 11 hours and the production rate is 2.45 litres per hour.
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