Fuel and Physiochemical Properties of Cashew (Anarcardium 1 occidentale) Nut Oil, Its Biodiesel and Blends with Diesel
E. I. Bello *
Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
A. O. Akinola
Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
F. Otu
Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
T. J. Owoyemi
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The aim of this study is to measure the fuel and physiochemical properties of cashew nut oil, its biodiesel and blends with diesel fuel. The oil was extracted by soxhlet extraction method and transesterified with methanol using sodium hydroxide as catalyst. The resulting biodiesel was washed, dried and blended 20% (B20) and 10% (B10) with diesel. They were characterized following the ASTM and EN protocols and the fatty acid profile was determined by chromatography analyzer. The result obtained shows that the properties of the biodiesel are close to those of diesel and can thus be used as alternative fuel for diesel engines.
Keywords: Cashew nut oil, biodiesel, blend, physiochemical properties