| Tranesterification reaction was carried out on raw Shea Butter Oil (SBO) and Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) to separate the ester from glycerol using ethanol in the presence of potassium hydroxide as catalyst. The properties of biodiesel (ethyl ester) obtained from varying proportions of diesel were experimentally determined and compared with that of conventional diesel. The fatty acid profile of the oil samples were determined using standard methods. Four blends (10, 20, 25 and 30%) of SBO and PKO by volume with diesel oil were produced and fuel properties determined include viscosity, relative density, specific gravity, flash, cloud and pour points. Mean values of the six fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic) obtained for shea butter and palm kernel... |
