Physicochemical Properties of Biodiesel Produced from Monkey Sugarcane (Costus afer) Leaves

Abstract

Biodiesel is a type of biofuel produced from biological materials such as animal fats, vegetable oils etc. The bio oil of produced from monkey sugarcane leave was used to produce a biofuel by transesterification using CaO as a catalyst. The percentage yield of the biodiesel was 71%. Then, by analyzing the biodiesel, the result for the physical and chemical properties were; the calorific value of the biodiesel produced was 37.49 MJ/kg, furthermore, density (898.5 kg/m3), kinematic viscosity at 40oC (6.84 mm2/S), sulfur content (0.082 %), flash point (164 oC), cloud point (-28 oC), diesel index (36), acid value (0.12 mg KOH/g), ash content (0.03 %), FFA (0.06 mg KOH/g). The result from the analysis of the biodiesel showed that, almost all its properties were within the limits provided in the standards for biodiesel production. Hence, monkey sugarcane leave bio oil is suggested as a good feedstock for biodiesel production.

Keywords — Biodiesel, monkey sugarcane, transesterification, kinematic viscosity, cloud point