Desert Palm Date Seeds as a Biodiesel Feedstock: Extraction, Characterization, and Engine Testing

Mohammed Kamil, Khalid Ramadan, Abdul Ghani Olabi, Chaouki Ghenai, Abrar Inayat and Mugdad H. Rajab
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Mohammed Kamil: Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering Department, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE
Khalid Ramadan: Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering Department, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE
Abdul Ghani Olabi: Department of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE
Chaouki Ghenai: Sustainable Energy Development Research Group, Research Institute of Sciences and Engineering (RISE), University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE
Abrar Inayat: Department of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, UAE
Mugdad H. Rajab: College of Petroleum and Minerals Engineering, Tikrit University, Tikrit 0218, Iraq

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 16, 1-20

Abstract: The development of alternative fuels is increasingly important in order to maintain ongoing global economic and technological progress in the face of fossil fuel depletion and increasing environmental damage. Desert palm date seeds have clear potential as feedstock for biodiesel production given their high oil content and availability as food waste that requires no further cultivation. In this study we investigated the optimum production processes and conditions for date seed oil biodiesel, including characterizing the intermediate product and correcting its composition to meet international fuel standards. Four biodiesel blends were prepared (B5, B10, B15, and B20) and tested in a compression ignition engine at engine speeds from 1600 to 3600 rpm (200 rpm increments) and three engine loads (50%, 75%, and 100%). The highest oil yield and biodiesel conversion achieved were 10.74 wt.% and 92%, respectively. The biodiesel properties conformed well with the standards; the values for brake power, brake thermal efficiency, and brake specific fuel consumption were comparable with petrol diesel, though the latter was slightly superior. All blends produced lower levels of CO 2 , CO, and HC but higher levels of NO x emissions. These results demonstrate the fundamental suitability of date seeds as biodiesel feedstock, deserving of further research.

Keywords: biodiesel; date seeds; desert palm tree; transesterification; brake power; brake specific fuel consumption; engine emissions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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