Potential of sour plum (Ximenia americana l.) seed oil as a biofuel

Abstract

Energy systems based on fossil oil products have witnessed increased demand all over the world with prices reaching new peaks, and continue to further weaken African economies. Potential biofuel oil sources, production and their optimization in standard to fossil equivalent should be sought. Sour plum (Ximenia americana L.) seed oil as one potential biofuel was extracted from plant seeds using screw press then tests were carried out to evaluate its properties as substitute for kerosene. Fuel properties of the sour plum (Ximenia americana L.) seed oil that had less than 10% difference and therefore had insignificant difference from kerosene and Jatropha seed oil properties were: calorific value, specific gravity, pour point, sulfur content and acid value, while Density, kinematic viscosity, fire point, carbon residue, and ash content had difference above 10% from those of kerosene. The latter properties: Density, kinematic viscosity, fire point, carbon residue, and ash content were analyzed further to determine their effect on mass burned and flame height burning parameters when sour plum seed oil was unblended and blended with kerosene in ratio 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% and 10%. Pearson’s product correlation coefficient r = 0.975 between these parameters was obtained. Further, regression analysis done indicated that parameter values were influenced by the fuel properties: viscosity, density, fire point, carbon residue and ash content which were used as predictor variables. Analysis of burning the blended seed oils in modified wick stove showed Pearson’s product correlation coefficient r = 0.855 between the fuel energy and power produced and transfered. However, energy produced by the fuels differed significantly probably due to effect of the fuel properties. In conclusion, sour plum (Ximenia americana L.) seed oil when blended with kerosene in ratio above 10% had better burning characteristics and can supplement kerosene as biofuel.