Abstract:
This study aims to obtain a sustainable source of energy from natural and
environmentally friendly resources.
Ricinus communis seeds collected from Dongola city, northern state – Sudan were
used as raw material for preparing biofuels and blends.
The oil was extracted from Ricinus Communis seeds using different techniques:
chemical solvent extraction by soxhlet, cold chemical extraction with solvent and
mechanical pressing. Percent oil yields were 49.0%, 35.5% and 31.2%, respectively.
Gc/mass analysis showed the oil contained 82.14% Saturated fatty acids, 17.85%
unsaturated fatty acids. The degree of saponification was 165.5 mgKOH /g, and it
was found that the density value and the gravity factor are equal.
Biofuels were prepared by two methods, acid catalyzed esterification reaction and
alkali-stimulated esterification using sodium hydroxide. Gas chromatography
technique/mass spectrometer demonstrated that Ricinus Communis oil is converted
biofuel.
The physical and chemical properties of the Biodiesel were verified according to
the American Standard Test No. D 6751 and it was found that biofuel had met all of
the standard requirements of the standard.
The mixture of Ricin’s Communis fuel with fossil diesel No. D20 has been tested
according to American Specifications No. D 7467 and has successfully passed the
requirements of the standard. Also, two types of biofuel blends were prepared
Biodiesel (20/80), fossil diesel and Biodiesel fossil diesel and ethanol (20/60/20)
were prepared and compared with the ASTM No. D 7467. The three types of mixture
met the standard requirements except for viscosity testing, where the viscosity level
of biofuel fuel was 17.37 C0 higher than the ASTM.
The acid number ratio was slightly higher than the standard and it was 0.6 mgKoH/g.
