THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF BIODIESEL PRODUCED FROM AFRICAN SWEET ORANGE (Citrus Sinensis) SEEDS OIL

The research presents experimental study and investigation on the production of biodiesel from African sweet orange seeds oil. The seeds were obtained, sundried, crushed and weighed. Chemical extraction method was used to extract oil from the crushed seeds using soxhlet extractor with n-hexane as a solvent. The physicochemical properties of the oil determined were; flash 1510C, fire point 1730C, acid value 82%, product percentage yield 40% and specific gravity 0.920 at 150C. The production of Biodiesel was carried out through transesterification process from the extracted oil using methanol as catalyst. The results of the physicochemical properties of the produced biodiesel are; Cloud point 60C, Pour point 20C, Flash point 1400C, Density 0.86g/cm and Kinematic viscosity 1.938 mm2/s. The effect of methanol on the yielding of biodiesel at constant ratios of oil and catalyst was determined to be 68% at 10ml, 77% at 9ml and 72% at 7ml. The results obtained are in conformity when compared with ASTM standard D6571 and imply that the African sweet orange seeds oil can be used to produce biodiesel.