Optimization of Biodiesel Production from Jojoba Oil Using Red Sea Coralline limestone as a heterogeneous Catalyst

Taiseer Hassan M., Ahmed A. A. Youssif, Isameldeen Ibrahim H. A.

Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis Link Schneider) has potential as an alternative, nonfood feedstock for Biodiesel production. Jojoba seed which obtained from Erkaweit – Sudan was used in biodiesel (JME) production using Coralline limestone rocks as a heterogeneous catalyst. Coralline limestone rocks is a abundant and environme-ntally friendly in the Red Sea area, the main characteristic of this rock is the high content of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which was transformed into CaO by calcinations. The transesterification reaction variables; methanol / oil molar ratio, catalyst weight% and reaction time were fully optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) based on a central composite design (CCD). The catalyst was characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and HPGe gamma spectrometry. Jojoba seeds were investigated for agronomical parameters, the analysis of jojoba seed gives, 45.187g weight of 50 seeds, the seeds measurements were 16.256 mm length, 10.551 breadth and 9.721mm thickness, the proximate composition of the seed were 46.711 oil content, 3.486 Moisture, 1.71 Ash, 15.45 Protein and 32.633 Carbohydrates (by diff.). Jojoba oil was also tested for its physiochemical properties including acid value, peroxide value, FFA, flash point, pour point, refractive index, density, viscosity @ 40 ËšC, saponification and iodine values. Proximate analysis of extracted oil gives (0.936 mgKOH/g,  2.469 mEq/kg, 0.47%, 150 ËšC, +9 ËšC, 1.464, 0.864 g/ml, 22.507 Cst, 95.011 mgKOH/g and 84.20 I2/100g) respectively. The important fuel properties of Jojoba oil methyl ester (JME) were evaluated including kinematic viscosity @ 40 ËšC (6.783 Cst), acid value (034 mgKOH/g), Flash point (154 ËšC), density (865 kg/m3) and cetane number (53.33 min.). The fatty acids profile fatty jojoba oil and jojoba methyl ester were established by GC analysis. According to this study, the maximum yield of JME was 81.93% at 12/1 methanol/oil molar ratio 5% catalyst weight and 3 hours reaction time.

https://dx.doi.org/10.31873/IJEAS.6.8.2019.25