Federal University Gashua , GASHUA , Nigeria
Pure and Environmental Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University , Sokoto , Nigeria
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Pure and Environmental Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University , Sokoto , Nigeria
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Department of Mathematic, Usmanu Danfodiyo University , Sokoto , Nigeria
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Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Maiduguri , Maiduguri , Nigeria
Chemistry, Nigeria Police Academy Wudil Kano , Kano , Nigeria
This study explores the potential of Bigpod Sesbania seed oil as feedstock for production of biodiesel. The extracted oil was transformed to biodiesel via transesterification reaction using potassium hydroxide as catalyst. The process variables methanol-to-oil molar ratio (4:1–8:1), catalyst concentration (0.1–0.5 wt%), reaction time (30–90 min), and temperature (45–65 °C) were optimized using the Box–Behnken design of the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The highest biodiesel yield of 96% was obtained at 8:1 methanol-to-oil ratio, 0.5 wt% catalyst, 60 min reaction time, and 55 °C. The physicochemical properties of the biodiesel conformed to ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards, with a specific gravity of 0.8491, viscosity of 4.39 cP, acid value of 0.32 mg KOH/g, ash content of 0.01%, flash point of 166 °C, and pour point of 4.2 °C, indicating high purity and stability. FTIR spectra confirmed the successful conversion of triglycerides to fatty acid methyl esters. GC-MS analysis revealed eight major fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), with methyl hexadeca-7,10,13-trienoate (29.80%), methyl (9E,12E)-octadeca-9,12-dienoate (15.97%), and carbonic acid octadecyl prop-1-en-2-yl ester (19.30%) as the dominant components. These unsaturated FAMEs accounted for 99.12% of the total composition, indicating high unsaturation favorable for cold-flow properties. These compounds accounted for over 90% of the total composition, indicating a high level of unsaturation responsible for good ignition quality. Bigpod Sesbania seed oil is validated as a promising non-edible feedstock for high-yield, high-quality biodiesel production with favorable physicochemical and combustion characteristics.
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