International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 34 Number 6- April 2016
An experimental investigation to produce
sustainable fuel form Sesamum oil
Ribwar K. Abdulrahman1, Saif T. Manji2 and Soran D. Jalal3
1, 2 and 3(Faculty of Engineering, Koya University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq)
Abstract Nowadays, the demand for energy in world
has been dramatic. In fact, several of hydrocarbon
reservoirs are decreased in the word. Moreover, the
using of fossil fuels for example, oil and gas cause
several environmental problems and affect the
human life. Indeed, it is emitted huge quantities of
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to the
environment that contributed in global worming
phenomenon. Therefore, energy companies and
academic researchers around the world are
investigating to find out a reliable renewable energy
source for instance, biodiesel and bio- gas. Biodiesel
may be considered reliable fuel and possess several
advantages for instance, reduces carbon dioxide
emissions and renewable energy source. Biodiesel
can be produced from many sources for instance,
vegetable oil and animal fats. Sesamum oil may
consider a reliable source to produce biodiesel.
Indeed, it can produce in good quantities in many
countries. Thus, this study is aimed to produce
biodiesel
from
Sesamum
oil
by
using
transesterification reaction. Moreover, this study
will be also examined process production
optimization. Moreover, laboratory tests for
example, specific gravity and cetane value will be
also examined.
Keywords — Energy, Biodiesel, renewable energy,
Sesamum oil, process optimization, biofuel,
sustainability.
I. INTRODUCTION (SIZE 10 & BOLD)
The demand for energy source in recent decade
has been dramatic. Every day, many of hydrocarbon
fuel reservoirs are depleted. Moreover, the using of
the fossil fuel such as, crude oil as energy sources
has several disadvantages and effects on the
environments.
Therefore,
nowadays
many
researchers are trying to find out more reliable and
clean fuel to be untied as energy source. Biofuels
such as biogas and biodiesels have several
advantages over traditional fule sources for example,
low sulfur contents and emits low carbon dioxide to
our environment [1,3]. Biodiesel can be produced
from several vegetable oils for example, sunflower
oil and corn oil. Biodiesel can be produced by
utilizing transesterification reaction under certain
conditions. Sesame seeds may consider one of the
oldest oilseed crops known. It contains high oil
content about (42-56%) and protein (20-25%) [1].
Figure 1 shows the sesame plant. Sesame oil such as
other types of vegetable oils has several properties
ISSN: 2231-5381
and table 1 shows some of its properties [1]. Figure
2 shows the process flow chart of alkali catalyzed
biodiesel production.
Figure 1: Sesamum plant [2].
Table 1: Sesamum oil Properties [1].
Property
Value
Specific gravity 25/25 °C
0.916 to 0.921
Flash point °C
375
Saponification value
186 to 199
Titer °C
20 to 25
Refractive index at 25 °C
1.463 to 1. 474
Smoke point °C
166
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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 34 Number 6- April 2016
Figure 4:Separator funnel.
Table 2: Produced biodiesel Properties.
Property
Value
Kinematic viscosity (mm2/s) at 40°C
3
Density (kg/m )
Figure 2: Process flow chart of alkali catalyzed
biodiesel production [4].
II. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The Sesamum oil obtained at a local market.
Moreover, the experiment has been done in a
laboratory that used a 250ml flask. The
transesterification reaction has been adopted to
produce the biodiesel from the Sesamum oil. The
KOH catalyst has been dissolved with the required
amount of methanol. Then liquid has been added to
the oil in a specific flask. The reaction has been
achieved at 60°C and for 30 min at 700 rpm.
Moreover, figure (3) shows the work tools for
example hotplate magnetic stirrer. Then, the reaction
was finished for oil, and then separator funnel has
been used to separate the reaction product into two
layers. Figure (4) shows the separator funnel. Finally,
two materials have been separated from each other.
At the bottom of separator, content the impurities
and glycerol. This research is also studied the effects
of methanol: oil molar ratio and reaction time on the
biodiesel yield.
Figure 3: hotplate magnetic stirrer.
ISSN: 2231-5381
4
897
Cetane number
28
Sulfur content
0.2755
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This research is also studied the effects of
methanol: oil molar ratio and reaction time on the
biodiesel yield. Moreover, the relationship between
the biodiesel yield and the reaction time has been
studied at several methanol: Oil ratio for instance,
5:1 and 6:1. The reaction has been maintained 60 °C.
Figure (5) shows the relationship between biodiesel
yield % and reaction time for several methanol: oil
ratios. It seems that the methanol: oil ratio has
effects of the biodiesel yield. It seems that the
optimum biodiesel yield has been achieved in this
optimization process is (93%) of biodiesel at
methanol: oil molar ratio about 6: 1 and reaction
time about one hour.
Figure 5: the relationship between biodiesel yield
% and reaction time for several methanol: oil
ratios.
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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 34 Number 6- April 2016
IV. CONCLUSION
process parameters to find out the most optimal
parameters values.
To In conclusion, it can be argued that biodiesel
possess several advantages over traditional
petroleum diesel for example, it reduce the CO2
emission to the environment and reduce the global
worming phenomenon. This study is attempted to
produce biodiesel from Sesamum oil. It can be
argued that it is possible to produce biodiesel from
Sesamum oil by using transesterification method.
The process optimization is also achieved the
optimal alcohol: oil ratio. It seems the using
methanol/ oil ratio about 6:1 can produce biodiesel
yield about 93%. However, it is also quite
recommended that to achieve more studies on the
ISSN: 2231-5381
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
Y. Adachi, Frank Gunstone (2011) Vegetable Oils in Food
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Westafricaplants (2016) Sesamum plant. Available at:
http://www.westafricanplants.senckenberg.de/root/index.ph
p?page_id=14&id=1429#. Accessed: 25 Feb. 2016.
Ahmad, M. (2012) Practical Handbook on Biodiesel
Production and Properties. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Pandey, A. (2009) Biotechnology for Agro-Industrial
Residues Utilisation. Texas: Springer Science & Business
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