Thesis Archive
Fatty Acid Profile and Predicted Biodiesel Fuel Properties of Premna Odorata Blanco (ALAGAW) and Melanolepis Multiglandulosa (ALIM) Seed Oils (2013-2014)
Kimberly K. Lim
Jerome Ryan G. Sy
Wilberto O. Lim
Abstract:
-This research studied the potential of two non-edible biodiesel feedstocks namely Premna odorata Blanco (alagaw) and Melanolepis multiglandulosa (alim), which are endemic domestic plants in the Philippines with no current use for their seeds. The oil extraction from the seeds was done using hexane in a Soxhlet apparatus. The alagaw and alim seeds were found to contain 5.57% (w/w) and 19.8% (w/w) oil on a dry basis, as well as 4.51% (w/w) and 18.07% (w/w) on a wet basis respectively. The methylated oil was analyzed for their fatty acid profile using the gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Results indicate that the alagaw oil is rich in linoleic acid with FAME weight of 32.39%, while alim is rich in palmitic acid with FAME weight of 29.63%. The fatty acid profile was used to predict the biodiesel properties with the aid of empirical equations from literature and compared to American (ASTM D6751), European (EN 14214), Japanese (JASO M360), and Philippine (PNS2020:2003) standards. The computed values recommend that the FAME from both alagaw and alim oil will meet the criteria specified in the standards with an exception to the cloud point and kinematic viscosity value specified in the Philippine standard. In addition, the value calculated for the lower heating value is lower than the commonly used feedstock, but suggests that deviation is little. For the overall result, alim seed oil can be classified as new alternative source for biodiesel, but not for alagaw seed oil due to poor yield of oil.
Adviser:
Dr. Luis F. Razon
Dr. Cynthia F. Madrazo