PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF BIODIESEL FROM HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA AND HIBISCUS SURATTENSIS

📄 Project Abstract

This work investigated the viability of using locally available vegetable seed oils to produce biodiesel. Two indigenous seeds- Hibiscus Surattensis (Hausa-rahma) and Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Hausa-yakwua) were used to carry out the research. Biodiesel from oils derived from these seeds were produced by alkali catalyzed transesterification process. The physicochemical properties of the oils (such as viscosity, flash point, calorific value, relative density, acid value, ash content, carbon content, saponification value, iodine value and hydrogen content) and various blending ratios of biodiesel with diesel obtained from oils of these seeds were investigated and compared with standard diesel fuel. The methyl esters of the samples were comparatively analysed based on their performance characteristics in blends of 30:70, 40:60 and 50:50 using a Leyland Compression Ignition Engine coupled to a hydro-dynamometer. Parameters like speed of engine and fuel consumption were measured at different loa...