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By 2050, it is predicted that biofuels will provide 27% of total transport fuel and avoid around 2.1 Gt CO2 emissions per year when produced sustainably. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be produced by trans-esterification in any climate using already developed agricultural practices. This paper aims to study various physical and chemical properties of biodiesel synthesized from edible and non-edible feedstocks. These feedstocks include Croton megalocarpus, Calophyllum inophyllum, Moringa (Moringa oleifera), palm (Elaeis guineensis) and coconut (Cocos nucifera). The physical and chemical properties of biodiesel-diesel blends were also presented. Furthermore, the regression analysis method was used to predict the properties of biodiesel blends. It has been found that blending of diesel with biodiesel has resulted in much improvement in kinematic viscosity, density, calorific value and oxidation stability. However, flash point and viscosity index decrease as the percentage of diesel increases. Moreover, the mathematical relationships developed in this study show a high regression values (R²) between properties and biodiesel-diesel blends. As a conclusion, it is believed that the outcome of this study gives the readers valuable results that help to predict the properties of biodiesel and its blends with diesel which are substantial parameters in the design of fuel system for biodiesel engine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Crude Moringa oleifera oil as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production. [•] Production of biodiesel from Moringa oleifera oil. [•] Characterization of Moringa oleifera biodiesel. [•] Evaluation of Moringa oleifera biodiesel blend in a diesel engine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the diesel engine performance and emission characteristics fueled with moringa biodiesel and compare those with the performance and emission characteristics of palm biodiesel, jatropha biodiesel, and diesel fuel. In this study, only 20% of each biodiesel (described by MB20, PB20, and JB20, respectively) was tested in diesel engine, given that open literature indicates the possible use of biodiesel of up to 20% in a diesel engine without modification. The physical and chemical properties of all fuel samples are also presented and compared with ASTM D6751 standards. A naturally aspirated multi-cylinder, four-stroke direct-injection diesel engine was used to evaluate their performance at different speeds and full load condition. All biodiesel fuel samples reduce brake power (BP) and increase brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) than diesel fuel. Engine emission results indicated that blended fuel reduces the average carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) emissions except nitric oxides (NO) emissions than diesel fuel. Among the biodiesel-blended fuel, Palm biodiesel showed better performance and minimal emission than jatropha and moringa biodiesel fuel. Although PB20 showed better performance, but performance of MB20 biodiesel blend is comparable with other fuels. Correspondingly, 20% of moringa biodiesel can be used in a diesel engine without any engine modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The effect of pretreatments of the seed kernels on the oil yield was investigated. • The kernels prepared for 14.4 % MC produced the highest oil yield for both methods. • The highest oil yield of 86.4 % was obtained using n-hexane method for the GK. • A comparison of fossil energy ratio (FER) was made between two methods. • The FER of 4.9 and 3.4 was found in-hexane and screw press method, respectively. An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of the processing of the raw materials, such as preparation and extraction, grating (whole and grated), drying and moisture conditioning of the seed kernels on the yield of oil extraction. Both mechanical and chemical methods were used to extract oil from the beauty leaf (BL) seed kernel using a screw press expeller and n-hexane as an oil solvent, respectively. Both whole kernel (WK) and grated kernel (GK) were used in screw press technique, whereas, only GK was used in n-hexane technique. The study indicated that the kernels prepared for 14.4 % moisture content (MC) produced the highest yield of oil in both methods. The highest oil yield of 86.4 % was obtained on the basis of the weight of the kernel in n-hexane method for the GK. On the other hand, the oil yield of 78.0 and 72.1 % was achieved using a screw press technique for the GK and WK, respectively. The gas chromatography (GC) analysis was conducted to determine the fatty acid compositions of beauty leaf oil. The physico-chemical properties of the beauty leaf oil (BLO) were evaluated. A comparison of fossil energy ratio (FER) was made between n-hexane and screw press methods. The FER in-hexane method was found 4.9, whereas, in screw press method it was found 3.4 and 3.1 for the GK and WK, respectively, which indicates that n-hexane method is more efficient than screw press technique. This study provides an understanding of the basis of selecting an appropriate oil extraction technique for oil extraction users in large scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]