Transesterification reaction between locally produced ethanol (Ogogoro wine) and the oil of peanut (Arachis hypogea) catalysed by potassium hydroxide from cassava peels yields an independent fuel that competes favorably with petrodiesel . Makurdi

Abstract

With a starting laboratory temperature condition of about 300c the oil of peanut Arachis hypogea which is primarily made up of fatty acids like oleic acid (46.8% as olein), linoleic acid (33.4% as linolein), and palmitic acid (10.0% as palmitin) produced in Makurdi Benue and neighbouring States in Nigeria was reacted with locally produced ethanol ( ogogoro) and with potassium hydroxide as catalyst according to ASTM D 6751 method . The new ester was completely insoluble in water , also showed a specific gravity g/cm3 0.94 compared to petroldiesel 0.859 Latent boiling temperature of 57oc compared to petroldiesel 90 oC , Smoke point 185 oC compared to petroldiesel of 52 oC , Flash Point 190 oC, compared to petroldiesel of 67 oC , an Acid Value of Mg/KOH/g 0.94 compared to 0.281 of petroldiesel and percentage yield was 91 oC compared to petroldiesel of 70 oC . These results show the combustibility condition of the new ester competing favorably with petro diesel which has extra disadvantaged characteristics ( not treated in the scope of this article ) that even reduces its potency.The attainable local materials like peanut oil ,ethanol ( ogogoro) and potassium hydroxide also locally sourced give great hope for encouragement in large scale farming and reduction on emphasis on petro diesel . Key words Combustible , Flash Point ,Glycerol , Petroleum Diesel , Transesterification