4.3.4. Reaction temperature
Generally, increase in temperature increases the rate of reaction and the yield of RSO biodiesel [13] and [30]. However, increasing the temperature above the boiling point of methanol (65 °C) to about 70 °C reduces the yield from 96.9 to 95.8 wt.% [13].
5. Applications of rubber seed oil biodiesel
The combustion of petroleum based-diesel in compression ignition engine produces complex mixtures of benzene, formaldehyde, dioxins, PAHs and n-PAHs, particulate matter, CO, CO2, NOx and SOx that are carcinogenic with adverse health effects on humans and other living organisms [9]. Rubber seed oil biodiesel, an oxygenated fuel exhibits performance and emission characteristics which are known to be environmentally friendly with substantial reductions in smoke opacity, exhaust gas temperature and oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur [9] and [62]. The non-presence of sulfur and aromatics compounds in rubber seed oil biodiesel prevents the formation of SOx and PAHs respectively. The performance and emission characteristics of rubber seed oil biodiesel tested in a mono-cylinder, 4-stroke engine under various load conditions reported by various researchers are presented in Table 8 and Table 9respectively. The performance indicators of brake power, torque, brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) for rubber seed oil biodiesel reported are quite encouraging for its use as an alternative fuel in the near future.