Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest edible
oil crops and its seeds, used as a food source, contain up
to 60% fat.
Fuel properties of methylesters of sesame oil compare
well with ASTM and EN biodiesel standards.
Sesame oil has good potential as alternative diesel fuel,
but its use in direct-injection engines is limited by high
viscosity, low volatility and the polyunsaturated character
of the triglycerides. Sesame seed oil transesterification
is one approach to viable sesame seed oil-based
fuel. This study used sesame oil as the raw oil to mix
with methanol and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to
undergo a transesterification reaction.
Sesame seed oil have about 7.5% less heating value than
that of diesel oil due to the oxygen content in their molecules.
Viscosity and density of methyl esters of sesame
seed oil are found to be very close to that of diesel. The
calorific value of biodiesel is found to be slightly lower
than that of diesel (5.4%).
The present experimental results support that methyl
ester of sesame seed oil can be successfully used as diesel