In this study, the optimum conditions (methanol/oil mole ratio, temperature, and so on) for producing
biodiesel with fish oil (menhaden oil) were established. The length of the carbon chain of fish oil is
frequently greater than that of general vegetable oils. Therefore, the use of fish-oil based biodiesel with
larger cetane number may improve diesel engine performance and result in a reduction of pollutant
emissions. The optimum conditions of the manufacture of biodiesel with menhaden oil were reaction
time of 120 min, reaction temperature of 55 8C, methanol/fish oil molar ratio of 12, and alkaline catalyst
content of 2.0 wt%. In the performance evaluation of the biodiesel produced, the acid value
(0.20 mg KOH/g), kinematic viscosity (4.60 cSt at 40 8C), and higher heating value (42.1 MJ/k) biodiesel
quality standards were suitable