THE PRODUCTION, OPTIMIZATION, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIODIESEL FROM A NOVEL SOURCE: Sinapis alba L.

In this study, biodiesel is prepared from Sinapis alba L. oil commonly known as white mustard through transesterification of the crude oil with methanol in the presence of NaOH as catalyst. Optimum conditions for the reaction were established to achieve maximum biodiesel yield of 92% at 6:1 molar ratio (methanol to oil), by using 0.5 g of NaOH, reaction temperature 65 degrees C, and reaction time 75 minutes. Sinapis alba oil biodiesel (SAOB) was testified by using various fuel properties such as kinematic viscosity at 40 degrees C (5.45 cSt), density at 15 degrees C (0.8721 kg/L), acid number (0.242 mg KOH/gm), flash point (90 degrees C), cloud point (-10 degrees C), pour point (-13 degrees C), and sulfur contents (0.00432%). Based on these findings, it is stated that SAOB can be used as alternative fuel in diesel engines.