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Published on: April 19, 2024
Low-melting-point biodiesel derived from corn oil via urea complexation
Yanlan Bi1, Dongyou Ding, Donghai Wang
1Lipid Technology and Engineering, School of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450052, PR China.
Urea complexation effectively improves the cold-flow properties of corn oil biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester, FAME). Optimized conditions yielded 53% low-melting-point FAME, with oxystearin further enhancing performance.
Area of Science:
- Renewable Energy
- Green Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Biodiesel, or fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), is a renewable fuel source.
- Poor cold-flow properties limit the use of biodiesel in colder climates.
- Corn oil is a potential feedstock for biodiesel production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the cold-flow properties of corn oil-based biodiesel using urea complexation.
- To determine the optimal processing conditions for urea complexation.
- To analyze the fatty acid composition of the resulting low-melting-point biodiesel.
Main Methods:
- Urea complexation was employed to separate low-melting-point fractions from corn oil biodiesel.
- Processing conditions including temperature, time, and reactant ratios were systematically varied.
- The yield and melting point of the non-urea complex fraction were measured.
- Fatty acid profiles of the modified biodiesel were analyzed using gas chromatography.
Main Results:
- Optimal conditions yielded a maximum of 53% low-melting-point biodiesel with a melting range of -52 to -45 °C.
- The fatty acid profile of the low-melting-point fraction was rich in linoleic acid (75.1%) and oleic acid (23.7%).
- Addition of oxystearin further improved the cold-flow properties of the biodiesel.
Conclusions:
- Urea complexation is a viable method for improving the cold-flow properties of corn oil biodiesel.
- Optimized processing parameters are crucial for maximizing the yield of low-melting-point biodiesel.
- The modified biodiesel exhibits a fatty acid profile suitable for cold climate applications.
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