The Essential Properties of Oils for Biodiesel Production

The quest for production of high-quality biodiesel with improved combustion properties at low cost, and the commercialization of biodiesel, has remained a relevant topic in today’s global energy market due to the need to achieve extensive substitution of fossil diesel with biodiesel fuel. This chapter examined the essential properties of oils for optimal biodiesel production and provided a comprehensive guideline for identification of suitable biodiesel oil feed-stocks, selection of appropriate processing parameters as well as methods for the optimized production of high-quality biodiesel at minimal cost. It enumerated the various essential properties of oil feed-stocks for biodiesel production, known as the physicochemical properties of biodiesel feedstock oils. The properties include viscosity, specific gravity, flash point, kinematic viscosity, free fatty acid, saponification value, acid value, moisture content, calorific value, cetane number, cloud point, pour point, oxidation stability, iodine value, peroxide value, and refractive index. The determination of the oils’ characteristics, and comparison with recommended ASTM D6751 values, prior to the conversion of the oils to biodiesel is essential for selecting the best pretreatment and post-treatment methods to be deployed in the biodiesel production process. The oils’ properties, which are closely related to the biodiesel performance characteristics, determine the quality of biodiesel, its yield, the produced biodiesel performance in engines, and aid in determining how to handle the bio-oil conversion process to obtain biodiesel with enhanced properties. In writing this chapter, a comprehensive review of research publications, conference papers on biodiesel production and other related articles, was undertaken, and the findings presented.