Effect of Blending Ratio on the Fuel Properties of Almond Biodiesel

Abstract

Since almond seed oil can be used for biodiesel production, this study is aimed at investigating the effect of different blend ratios on the fuel properties of almond biodiesel. The biodiesel was characterized for the properties of flash point, cloud point, pour point, viscosity, saponification value, peroxide value, acid value, iodine value, density and specific gravity using the Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometer (GCMS). When blended with petrol diesel at ratios of 20%, 30% and 50%, results showed that the properties of the biodiesel obtained at a blend of 20% had properties more similar to the ASTM standard. At that proportion of 20%, the properties of acid value, viscosity, cloud point, pour point and iodine value were found to be 0.95meq/kg, 8.80Cp, 60C, 10C and 41.62gI2/100g respectively, except the flash point which was 720C at biodiesel blend of 50%. This is because increase in blending ratios was found to result in corresponding increase of the properties.