3. Results and discussion
3.1. Properties of biodiesel
The various fuel properties of Jatropha oil, biodiesel(B100) and
its blends with diesel were found out and are given in Table 3. It
can be seen from this table that the fuel properties of B100 are
comparable with those of diesel. The Jatropha oil, however, was
found to have much higher values of fuel properties, especially viscosity,
thus restricting its direct use as a fuel for diesel engines. The
kinematic viscosity of Jatropha oil was found more than that of diesel
determined at 40 C. After transesterification, the kinematic viscosity
reduced than that of pure Jatropha oil. It further reduced
with increase in diesel amount in the blend. A similar reduction
in specific gravity was also observed. The flash points of Jatropha
oil and biodiesel were found to be greater than 100 C, which is
safe for storage and handling. The pour points of Jatropha oil and
B100 were higher than that of diesel. This might be due to the presence
of wax, which begins to crystallize with the decrease in temperature.
The problems of higher pour point of Jatropha biodiesel
could be overcome by blending with diesel. At the end of reaction
Ph value of upper layer was measured to be 4.40 and that of the