COMPARATIVE EVALUATION of PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES of Sudanese JATROPHA CURCAS SEED OIL with BIODIESEL

Abstract

Jatropha curcas is considered as an alternative energy source to help solve the energy crisis and environmental issues.A study on the physicochemical properties of Sudanese Jatropha curcas seed oil to evaluate as a source to produce biodiesel. The oil was obtained by chemical extraction and by mechanical pressing. The oil content in seeds was found to be about 30% (w/v). Physicochemical properties of Sudanese J. curcas seed oil:  1- (chemical extract) are:  Density (0.91744, at 15 0C) biodiesel, 0.88 g/cm3 , specific gravity (0.91834), kinematic viscosity (35.36 mm2/5 at 40 0C) biodiesel 1.9 – 6.0 mm2/5, ; water content (0.0) biodiesel Max 0.05% ; flash point, 1850C) biodiesel Min 130 OC. ; cloud point, (0oC); pour point (-6oC); micro carbon residue (0.15%).  2- (pressing extract) are: (26.6%) (13.3%) acid number and & free fatty acid (0.91784 g/cm3) density at 15oC, (0.91874) specific gravity, and showed high value  (35.73 mm2/5) kinematic viscosity at 40, (0.1%) water content, (208 oC) flash point, (3o C) cloud point, (-3o C) pour point, (0.2 %) micro carbon residue. The present study shows similar results color stability 1.5 and copper corrosion 1a for both chemical and pressing extract oil. The physicochemical properties of Sudanese jatropha cursas seed oil within the range of standards of biodiesel, but kinematic viscosity and free fatty acids are very high, so can be modified to decrease them.