Characterization of Physical and Chemical Properties of Biodiesel Produced from Jatropha Curcas Seeds Oil Cultivated in Rwanda

Abstract

A yield of 26.88% of seed oil was obtained from Jatrophacurcas cultivated in Rwanda. Within 2 hours of reaction, the methyl ester (Biodiesel) was produced at a yield of 85.3% from obtained oil through direct base-catalysed trans-esterification process using methanol and sodium hydroxide as alcohol and catalyst. The proportion of 0.6g of NaOH in 20mL of methanol with 100 mL of Jatropha oil was the best ratio for making the biodiesel. The biodiesel obtained had 85.03% of ester content, 0.878 and 7.891Centistokes (at 20 0 C) of specific gravity and viscosity respectively. The other physico-chemical properties were also characterized.