Evaluation of oxidative stability of Jatropha curcas L. biodiesel stored under different temperatures

• Grant number: 12/04377-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2012
• End date: April 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Izabel Cristina Freitas Moraes
• Grantee: Karine Scharanck
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Biodiesel, fuel comprised of alkyl ester of long-chain fatty acids, can be derived from vegetable oils, fat animals, and/or fatty waste from biomass. In the storage, the biodiesel quality is affected by the oxidative process. The velocity of this process can be affected by diverse factors such as, for example, oxygen, light, and temperature. The products formed in the biodiesel during the oxidations reactions can affect the operation of the diesel engines. Then, it is necessary for product conformity assessment in accordance with quality requirements set by Agência Nacional de Petróleo. Storage stability is defined as resistance to chemical and physical changes of the fuels during their storage. Then, the aim of this work is to evaluate the oxidative stability of the Jatropha curcas L. biodiesel stored at different temperatures, room temperature, and 43°C, for 10 months. The samples will be characterized by chemicals, spectroscopy (UV/Visible and Fourier transform infrared, FTIR), thermal and rheological analysis at times: 0, 20, 40, and 60 days, and, thereafter monthly. The biodiesel stability will also be evaluated by accelerated oxidative test, the Rancimat method, it was carried out a Rancimat 843 equipment (Metrohm). Moreover, at zero time, it will be studied the temperature effect from 5 to 60°C in the behavior and rheological properties of this biodiesel. This project will be made in the Food Technology and Multiuser Laboratories of the Food Engineering Department of the FZEA-USP, campus Pirassununga, which has adequate infrastructure. At the project end, it is expected results: to know the rheological behavior taking into account variations in temperature, to predict the shelf life of Jotropha curcas L. and to contribute to the discussion of alternatives to improve the quality of biodiesel during storage.(AU)