| dc.description.abstract | This work focused on parametric optimization of both oil extraction and transesterification during biodiesel production from locally sourced shea nuts. In this study, oil was extracted from shea nut kernel by soxhlet extraction using n-hexane as the solvent. The effect of extraction time on the oil yield was studied and was found to increase with increase in extraction time. The highest oil yield obtained was 51.3% for an extraction time of 3 hours, 6:1 n-hexane to shea kernel powder ratio and extraction temperature of 70 degrees centigrade. The oil extracted was then subjected to base catalyzed transesterification reaction to convert it to biodiesel, using methanol and Potassium hydroxide. The effect of temperature on biodiesel yield from this reaction was investigated at temperatures 50, 60, and 70 degrees centigrade. The optimum biodiesel obtained was about 91.5% at 60oC for 6:1 methanol to oil ratio, 600rpm stirrer speed, 1.0% (w/w of oil) Potassium hydroxide catalyst, and a reaction time of 2 hours. Similarly, the effect of catalyst concentration on the biodiesel yield obtained was investigated by carrying out the reaction at varying Potassium hydroxide concentrations, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% (w/w of oil). The optimum biodiesel obtained was 90.7% at 1.0% (w/w of oil) for 6:1 methanol to oil ratio, 600rpm stirrer speed, reaction time of 60 degrees centigrade and a reaction time of 2 hours. The biodiesel produced was tested for various physicochemical properties such as specific gravity, kinematic viscosity, flash point, saponification value, iodine value and Cetane number. The values obtained for each property were found to be in the ranges of ASTM and EN specifications | en_US |
