Polish Journal of Environmental Studies
Vol. 14, No. 3 (2005), 335-339

Oxidation Stability of Biodiesel Fuel Produced from Fatty Wastes

E. Sendzikiene, V. Makareviciene, P. Janulis

Institute of the Environment, Lithuanian University of Agriculture, Studentu 11, LT -53067 Akademija, Kaunas r., Lithuania

Abstract: The aim of this work was to examine possibilities to use wastes of animal fat and vegetable oil for the production of biodiesel fuel, evaluating the conformity of the product obtained to the oxidation stability requirements. The oxidation stability of rapeseed oil, linseed oil, tallow and lard fatty acid methyl esters samples and their mixtures was measured by commercial equipment Rancimat 743 applying accelerated oxidation test (Rancimat test) specified in EN 14112.
It was found that fatty acid methyl esters of vegetable origin are more stable for oxidation comparing with methyl esters of animal origin. The optimal level of synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanizole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHA) for stabilization of fatty acid methyl esters was determined to be 400 ppm (also using synergist – citric acid, 20% of the antioxidant quantity). Mixtures of methyl esters of animal and vegetable origin with antioxidants were more stable compared with pure products. The highest oxidation stability showed mixtures containing 80-90% of fatty acid methyl esters of animal fat and 10-20% of fatty acid methyl esters of vegetable oil with synthetic antioxidants added.

Keywords: oxidation stability, induction period, fatty wastes, fatty acid methyl esters, antioxidants.