Biodiesel quality improvement by mixing the Azadirachta indica and Moringa stenopetala seed oil (in situ hybridisation) via transesterification process

Abstract

Biodiesel is considered environmentally benign, biodegradable, and greener fuel derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, and algae, superseding petroleum products. Hybridisation of vegetable oil has not been widely examined to produce biodiesel with ameliorated quality. This study aims at hybridising Azadirachta indica and Moringa stenopetala seed oils to produce the hybrid biodiesel with improved quality. The Box-Behnken Design was used in design of the experiment and analysis of results. Catalyst dose, oil hybridisation ratio, and reaction time were experimental variables with 3 levels, whereas, agitation speed, oil-to-methanol molar ratio, and reaction temperature were constants. The oil hybridisation ratios were: 25% A. indica and 75% M. stenopetala oil, 50% A. indica and 50% M. stenopetala oil, and 75% A. indica and 25% M. stenopetala oil. Seventeen experimental runs were conducted and the quadratic model was developed at P < 0.0001(significant). The model was determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and determination coefficients at 5% LSD.