Production and Characterization of Biodiesel from Moringa oleifera Lam Seed Oil

Abstract

Moringa oleifera plant is an important plant of great economic value as its parts are being used for various purposes. As such, the plant is gaining great acceptance from the public as an alternative source of fuel, this study is therefore aimed at production and characterization of biodiesel from seed oil of the plant.Oil was extracted from Moringa oleifera Lam seed and converted to biodiesel through transesterification and then purified. Some physical characteristics of the biodiesel produced were determined and compared with petroleum diesel fuel. The following properties of the produced biodiesel were observed; specific gravity (0.870), viscosity (2.98 mm2/s), flash point (171 0C), boiling point (120 0C), free fatty acid (0.42 mgKOH/g), acid value (0.84 mgKOH/g) and refractive index (1.38914 at 25.70 0C). The corresponding values of these properties for petroleum diesel are; specific gravity (0.848), viscosity (2.96mm2/s), refractive index (1.664). It was concluded that moringa oleifera Lam seed is a viable source for biodiesel production