Oxidation Stability and Low Temperature Properties of Rubber Seed Oil Biodiesel from Fatty acid Composition

Abstract

This study is aimed at determining the oxidation stability and cold flow behavior of rubber seed biodiesel from fatty acids composition. The oxidation stability was measured in terms of induction period while the cold flow properties of the biodiesel was evaluated by determining the cloud point (CP), pour point (PP), cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and low temperature flow test (LTFT). The result of oxidation stability revealed that rubber seed biodiesel exhibited an induction period of 3.13 hours. The cold flow properties of the biodiesel such as CFPP, CP, LTFT, and PP were determined to be -11.69, -7.19, -2.19 and -12.15 respectively. This study depicts that rubber seed biodiesel has good oxidation stability when compared to a minimum of 3 and 6 hours stipulated by ASTM standardand EN respectively for biodiesel. The cold flow properties shows that the biodiesel exhibit appreciably low temperature properties and so can be effectively used in cold weather without clogging the engine filter