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Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management
World Bank assisted National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) - University of Port Harcourt
ISSN: 1119-8362
Vol. 23, No. 9, 2019, pp. 1717-1723
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Bioline Code: ja19254
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, Vol. 23, No. 9, 2019, pp. 1717-1723
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Acid-Base Catalyzed Transesterification of Archontopheonix cunninghamiana (Bangalow Palm) Seed Oil
NDUKWE, GI & UGBOAJA, AT
Abstract
Currently, majority of global energy is sourced from petrochemicals which comes with its attendant
environmental challenges. Efforts are therefore focused on developing renewable sources for energy and biofuel is in the
front burner for these alternatives. In this paper, we explored Archontopheonix cunninghamiana seed; an inedible and
waste material, as an opportunity for alternative feedstock for biodiesel production. The oil extraction recorded a low yield
which may not be economically viable; the transesterification of extracted oil gave 94.56% yield of biodiesel. Physicochemical
analyses of the produced biodiesel showed viscosity of biodiesel to be 2.64 mm2/s, which is within American
Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) and EN590:1999 petrol diesel specifications. It also has a pour point value of 8 oC
which is within acceptable range of European Committee for Standardization EN590:2008 for petrol diesel. The flashpoint
was found to be 110 oC which make for easy handling and transportation and agrees with EN14214:2008 minimum value
of 101 oC. Spectroscopic studies done on the extracted oil and the produced biodiesel showed successful transesterification
of the oil and good biodiesel quality.
Keywords
Archontopheonix cunninghamiana; bangalow palm; transesterification; biodiesel
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© Copyright 2019 - Ndukwe and Ugboaja.
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