This document summarizes an experimental study on improving the low temperature properties of biodiesel produced from high free fatty acid soy oil. The study tested blending the biodiesel with ethanol, methanol, kerosene, diesel, castor biodiesel, jatropha biodiesel, and adding a commercial antigel additive. Results showed blending with ethanol and methanol up to 20% improved cloud point and pour point the most. Adding 2% of the commercial additive also significantly improved low temperature properties. The conclusions were that ethanol, kerosene, and commercial additives can effectively enhance the cold flow properties of the high free fatty acid biodiesel, making it usable in colder climates.

1. A
Paper Presentation for ICAER 2013
on
Experimental Studies on Low Temperature Operability of High FFA
Oil Biodiesel
by
Mr. K. A. Sorate, Research Scholar &
Dr. P.V. Bhale, Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
S. V. National Institute of Technology, Surat, Gujarat

2. Outline of Presentation
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Introduction
Objectives of the Study
What is low temperature properties of biodiesel?
Failures due to poor cold flow properties
Experimentation
Cold flow measurement
Cold flow improvement
Results and discussions
Conclusions
ICAFICE 2013
Mr.
K.A.Sorate & Dr.P.V.Bhale, MED, SVNIT
7th2/25
February 13

4. Biodiesel synthesis from high FFA oil
Feedstock
FFA (%)
For esterification
Methanol: v/v of oil
Acid catalyst:
H2SO4, % (v/v of oil)
Reaction time (min)
Reaction temperature, 0C
For transesterification
Methanol: v/v of oil
Alkali catalyst:
KOH % (w/v of oil) or
Reaction time (min.)
Reaction temperature, 0C
High FFA soy
Oil used in the present
study
16.8
0.35
0.7
60
60
0.4
1.5
60
60
Nakpong et al. (2010) used two step method for high FFA coconut oil
4

5. GC-MS at CSMCRI Bhavnagar
GAS CHROMOTOGRAPHY-MASS
SPECTROSCOPY (GC-MS)
Table Fatty acid profile of biodiesel
Fatty acid
Formula
Structure
Wt.%
Palmitate
C17H34O2
17:0
14.90
Stearate
C19H38O2
19:0
2.50
Oleate
C19H36O2
19:1
30.00
Linoleate
C19H34O2
19:2
50.93
*Fatty acid profile results matches with Moser
et al (2011) studied for soybean oil methyl
ester

6. Properties of high FFA B100
Table 2 Properties of high FFA oil biodiesel (B100) in comparison with diesel.
Properties
Standard
Limit
B100
Diesel
FAME content
EN 14103
96.5
98.33
-
Density at 15 oC, kg/m3
ASTM D4052
860-900
890
820
Kinematic Viscosity at 40 oC, mm2/s
ASTM D445
1.9-6.0
4.83
2.5
Acid value, mg KOH/g
ASTM D974
Max.0.5
0.38
-
Calorific value, MJ/kg
ASTM D4809
-
37.5
42.5
Flash point , oC
ASTM D93
Min 130
174
55
Cloud point, oC
ASTM D2500
Report
5
-16
Pour point, oC
ASTMD97
-15-10
2
-21
Cetane number
ASTM D613
Min. 51
49
51
Oxidation stability at 110 oC,h
EN ISO 14112
Min. 6
2.1
-
Iodine value g I2/100 g
EN 14111
Max.120
37
-

7. Poor cold flow
properties ?
With decreasing temperature more
solids
form
and
material
approaches the pour point, the
lowest temperature at which it will
cease to flow.
(Schumacher et al,1999)
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8. Effects of poor cold flow properties
-Plugging/Clogging of filters
and fuel tubes
-Increase in viscosity of BD
results in poor combustion
Park and Kim, 2008; Schumacher et al

9. Cloud and pour point apparatus
biodiesel
cloud and pour point apparatus
Test jar

10. The following samples were tested to improve Pour
Point and Cloud Point
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
High FFA oil biodiesel (B100) blended with ethanol
High FFA oil biodiesel (B100) blended with methanol
High FFA oil biodiesel (B100) blended with kerosene
High FFA oil biodiesel (B100) blended with diesel
High FFA oil biodiesel (B100) blended with castor
biodiesel
6. High FFA oil biodiesel (B100) blended with jatropha
biodiesel and
7. High FFA oil biodiesel (B100) doped with diesel fuel
antigel additive.

11. Antigel additive

12. Cloud and pour point measurement

13. Relationship between Pour point and % saturated fatty
acids of biodiesel
20
60
10
52
50
2
5
40
0
-5
30
-6
-10
-15
20
17.4
-20
13
-25
10
-30
-35
-30
Castor BD
Saturated fatty acids %
Pour point, deg cen
14
Pour points
Saturated FA,%
15
5
0
Jatropha BD
Mahua BD
High FFA BD
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14. Effect of ethanol and methanol
cloud point improved from 5 oC to -4 oC while
pour point improved from 2 oC to -7 oC.
Effect of ethanol on percentage blend of
biodiesel
Improved CP from 5 oC to -4 oC while
pour point improved from 2 oC to -7 oC
Effect of methanol on percentage blend of
biodiesel
Reported results matches with Bhale et al (2009) studied for Mahua biodiesel;
Scheminder et al for soybean biodiesel
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15. Effect of kerosene and diesel on CP
and PP
cloud point improved from 5 oC to -2 oC while pour
point improved from 2 oC to -5 oC
cloud point improved from 5 oC to -3 oC
while pour point improved from 2 oC to -6 oC.
Effect of kerosene on percentage blend of
biodiesel
Effect of diesel on percentage blend of
biodiesel
Reported results matches with Bhale et al (2009) studied for Mahua biodiesel; Scheminder et al for soybean
biodiesel

16. Effect of castor BD and Jatropha BD on
CP and PP
improves cloud point from 5 to -3 oC
while pour point from 2 oC to -5 oC
Effect of castor biodiesel on percentage blend
of biodiesel
improves CP from 5 to -1 oC while PP from 2 to
-3 oC
Effect of Jatropha biodiesel on percentage
blend of biodiesel
Reported results matches with Zuleta et al, 2012 and Joshi et al

17. Effect of commercial antigel additive
cloud point reduced from 5 oC to -1 oC and pour
point from 2 oC to -7 oC when doped up to 2%.
Figure: Effect of antigel additive on percentage blend of biodiesel
Reported results matches with Bhale et al (2009) studied for Mahua biodiesel;
Scheminder et al for soybean biodiesel
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18. Effect of additives on viscosity in low
temp region
Higher values of viscosity leads to poor spray characteristics and problem in pumping and
poor combustion. Hence viscosity should be low for proper combustion
Effect of ethanol, methanol and antigel
additive on the kinematic viscosity of B100
in low temperature region
Effect of kerosene, diesel and antigel additive
on the kinematic viscosity of B100 in low
temperature region
Reported results matches with Bhale et al (2009) studied for Mahua biodiesel
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19. Effect of additives on viscosity in low
temp region
Higher viscosity value has impact on
spray pattern.
The change in the spray pattern can
greatly change the combustion properties
of the fuel mixture.
Effect of Castor biodiesel, Jatropha biodiesel and antigel additive
on the kinematic viscosity of B100 in low temperature region
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20. •
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Conclusions
Based on the cold flow experimental results, the following conclusions have been
summarized;
Due to addition of ethanol up to 20%, there is significant improvement in cold flow
properties of biodiesel have been noticed. However, the addition of ethanol
should be restricted due to its lower Cetane number.
Similarly, blending of kerosene up to 20% in biodiesel improves cold flow
properties of biodiesel considerably. However, higher blends of kerosene should
be limited due to its poor lubricity, which may reduce the lubricity of biodiesel.
In comparison with ethanol and kerosene, less improvement in cloud and pour
point were observed when biodiesel blended with diesel up to 20 %. Compared to
ethanol and kerosene, less improvement in cloud and pour point were observed
when biodiesel blended with castor biodiesel and jatropha biodiesel. The effect of
2% commercial additive was found significant compared to other blended
materials. The improved low temperature performance of biodiesel (B100)
blended with alcohol, fossil based fuels; biodiesel in biodiesel blend; and with
commercial Antigel additive shows its use under diverse cold climate temperatures
where it is usable.
Therefore, from all of these results, lower cost high FFA oil has a bigger potential
as a feedstock for biodiesel production.
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