Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/52302
Citations
Scopus Web of Science® Altmetric
?
?
Type: Journal article
Title: Alkoxylation of biodiesel and its impact on low-temperature properties
Author: Smith, P.
Ngothai, Y.
Nguyen, Q.
O'Neill, B.
Citation: Fuel: the science and technology of fuel and energy, 2009; 88(4):605-612
Publisher: Elsevier Sci Ltd
Issue Date: 2009
ISSN: 0016-2361
Statement of
Responsibility: 
P.C. Smith, Y. Ngothai, Q.D. Nguyen, B.K. O’Neill
Abstract: A property of biodiesel that currently limits its use to blends of 20% or less is its relatively poor low-temperature properties. Alkoxylation of the unsaturated portion of biodiesel offers the potential benefit of reduced cloud point without compromising ignition quality or oxidation stability. Conventional biodiesel was synthesised from canola oil and the alcohols methanol, ethanol and butanol, epoxidised in situ, and alkoxylated by acid-catalysed oxirane ring opening in the presence of the alcohol of the ester group. Optimal conditions for epoxidation were H2O2/biodiesel molar ratio of 2:1, acetic acid/biodiesel molar ratio of 0.2:1, 2 wt% H2SO4, 6 h reaction at 60 °C. Alkoxylation resulted in alkoxy substitution rates of 37.1% (methyl), 34.3% (ethyl) and 32.9% (butyl). Selectivity for alkoxy biodiesel was 89.0%, 82.7% and 81.7% for methoxy, ethoxy and butoxy biodiesel, respectively. The cloud point for methyl and ethyl biodiesel increased slightly, while a reduction of 1 K was achieved for butyl biodiesel. The presence of by-products negated much of the expected improvement in cloud point for butoxy butyl biodiesel. Further optimisation work is required to improve both conversion and selectivity if significant improvements in cloud point are to be achieved. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Biodiesel
Low-temperature properties
Cloud point
Alkoxylation
DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2008.10.026
Published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2008.10.026
Appears in Collections:Aurora harvest
Chemical Engineering publications

Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.