Methods for the Improvement of Physicochemical Parameters of Petrodiesel and Jatropha curcas L Biodiesel Using Eco-friendly Materials and Gamma Radiation

Abstract

Biodiesel produced from Jatropha curcus L fixed oil by trans-esterification process represents one of the most alternative fuel options to replace depleting fossil fuels. Physico-chemical parameters such as density, kinematic viscosity, flash point, cloud point, ash content, sulphur content, water content, colour, copper strip corrosion, carbon residue and cetane number, were determined for diesel fuel samples (S1, S2, S3and S4). Results obtained were were within the limits assigned by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) except the water content of sample (S1) was found to be 0.052 % w/w. the cetane number was found to be 56.14, 54.72, 57.89 and 56.9 for samples S1, S2, S3 and S4, respectively.