Investigation of the Potential of African Oil Bean Seed as a Feedstock for Biodiesel Production using Iron (Iii) Oxide

Biodiesel which is the diesel fuel derived from renewable sources such as plant oils and animal fats, holds a significant potential as a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuels. However, the cost of its production has remained a major obstacle to the widespread production and commercialization of this globally established renewable alternative energy source. This study investigated the potential of African oil bean seed as a viable feedstock for biodiesel production using iron (iii) oxide as catalyst. In carrying out this research, oil was extracted from African oil bean seed by the Soxhlex solvent extraction method using N-hexane, and converted into biodiesel with Iron (iii) oxide as a catalyst through base-catalyzed transesterification process. The oil and biodiesel yields were found to be 38% and 92% respectively. The result of the biodiesel characterization through determination of its physicochemical properties revealed that the biodiesel has these values; viscosity (1.67mm²/s), specific gravity (0.898), density (0.9 g/cm²), saponification number (174.8 mg KOH/g), free fatty acid (0.5%), iodine value (17.56 gI₂/100g), cloud point (10.2), pour point (9.5), flash point(223.5^oC), cetane number (108.3), calorific value (47,4 MJ/kg). The values are within the acceptable range prescribed by ASTM D6751for biodiesel, except the high cetane number, cloud point, pour point, which can be reduced with appropriate additives. This biodiesel compared well with the hydrocarbon diesel fuel. Furthermore, the percentage oil and biodiesel yields were high, thereby confirming African oil bean seed and Iron (iii) oxide as a viable feedstock, and cheap catalyst respectively, for biodiesel production.