Application of full factorial design to evaluate the effect of different variables on the stability of biodiesel: Diesel blends under storage conditions

Abstract

Biodiesel is obtained from a renewable source and has been used as an alternative to fossil fuels. It has unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters that can degrade due to oxidation of the double bonds. The instability of biodiesel during storage may cause problems regarding the maintenance and operation of motors. This work evaluated the effect of several variables on the storage conditions of biodiesel:diesel blends. The study was performed using an experimental design, and the variables were water content in biodiesel (0.01, 0.05 and 0.09%), biodiesel content in diesel (5.0, 7.5 and 10.0%), time (15, 30 and 45 days) and temperature (30, 40 and 50 °C). The levels simulated actual Brazilian storage conditions. The degradation was evaluated based on direct measurement of methyl linoleate and methyl oleate in the blends by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. These unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters are target compounds in the oxidation process. All experiments were carried out in sealed flasks. The results suggest that the restriction of oxygen limited the degradation of biodiesel in blends with higher percentage of the biofuel. The variables temperature, time and water content in biodiesel individually did not affect the degradation process within the range investigated at 95% confidence interval.