Influence of electron beam irradiation on nitrogen-saturated biodiesel

Abstract

The objective was to study changes in nitrogen-saturated biodiesel irradiated by electron beam and to analyse them considering the influence of absorbed dose. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that irradiation in presented condition did not affect ester groups in fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) molecules, but slightly influenced on double bonds. After irradiation was observed relatively small change in concentration of methyl esters. Slightly influence can be explained by absorption of radiation by nitrogen present in samples. Therefore, the use of ionizing radiation to improve Rapeseed Methyl Esters (RME) properties can be used only in specific radiation dose range (total ester concentration must not be lower than 96.5 wt%). The reduction in the total concentration of methyl esters was lower than after irradiation of FAME samples saturated with water and air, which was presented in previous works.