Improvement of Density, Viscosity and Cold Flow Properties of Palm Oil Biodiesel by Alcohol Addition

Abstract

Alternative fuel researches has gained very importance due to depletion threads of fossil fuels, strictly narrowing emission regulations and high cost of petroleum. Biodiesel one of the most favorite alternative fuels since it is renewable and cleaner energy source. Many vegetable oils and animal fats are used for biodiesel production as raw material. Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit of the oil palms which is produced widely in some regions and used as raw material for many industrial sectors. Palm oil can be used as feedstock for biodiesel production but it has some drawbacks such as high viscosity and bad cold flow properties. In this study, some fuel properties of biodiesel produced from palm oil and its blends with various alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and methanol were investigated. The study showed that the inadequate fuel properties of palm oil biodiesel such as viscosity and cold flow properties can be improved with varıous alcohol addition with the POME-5% methanol (CH3OH).