PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF BIODIESEL FROM HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA AND HIBISCUS SURATTENSIS
PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF BIODIESEL FROM HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA AND HIBISCUS SURATTENSIS
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Date
2012-10
Authors
BIRIOK, GEORGE STEPHEN
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Abstract
This work investigated the viability of using locally available vegetable seed oils
to produce biodiesel. Two indigenous seeds- Hibiscus Surattensis (Hausa-rahma)
and Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Hausa-yakwua) were used to carry out the research.
Biodiesel from oils derived from these seeds were produced by alkali catalyzed
transesterification process. The physicochemical properties of the oils (such as
viscosity, flash point, calorific value, relative density, acid value, ash content,
carbon content, saponification value, iodine value and hydrogen content) and
various blending ratios of biodiesel with diesel obtained from oils of these seeds
were investigated and compared with standard diesel fuel. The methyl esters of
the samples were comparatively analysed based on their performance
characteristics in blends of 30:70, 40:60 and 50:50 using a Leyland Compression
Ignition Engine coupled to a hydro-dynamometer. Parameters like speed of
engine and fuel consumption were measured at different loads for pure diesel and
various combinations of biodiesel blends. Torque, brake horse power and specific
fuel consumption were calculated. The test results indicate that the biodiesel
blends of 40:60 for H. Sabdariffa has Brake horse power- 12.44kW, Speed-
2000rpm, and SFC 0.118 l /kW hr and; 30:70 for H. Surattensis has Brake horse
power- 13.78kW, Speed-2000rpm, and SFC-0.332 l/kW hr while Diesel has
Brake horse power- 10kW, Speed-2000rpm, and SFC-0.193 l/kW hr. Both H.
Sabdariffa at 40:60 blend and H. Surattensis at 30:70 blend have brake horse
power and SFC higher than diesel at the speed of 2000rpm hence H. Sabdariffa
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blend of 40:60 and H. Surattensis blend of 30:70 blend can be recommended for
use in diesel engines without making any engine modifications.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Postgraduate Studies,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the Award of
Masters Degree (M.Sc) in Mechanical Engineering
Keywords
PRODUCTION, PERFORMANCE, EVALUATION, BIODIESEL, HIBISCUS, SABDARIFFA, HIBISCUS, SURATTENSIS