THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BIODIESEL OBTAINED FROM VEGETABLE OILS: CORN, SOY, CANOLA AND SUNFLOWER

Resumo

Biodiesel is biodegradable, renewable and obeys to the carbon cycle, being defined as mono-alkyl ester of fatty acids derived from renewable sources, such as vegetable oils and animal fat. For this work biodiesel was produced through transesterification reaction (methylic route) from sunflower, corn, soy and canola vegetable oils. From experimental data, it was possible to observe an inverse relation among temperature and viscosity/density. Among the four kinds of biodiesel (sunflower, corn, soy and canola), the one which has presented greater viscosity was canola, however all of them presented very similar behavior. Mathematic polynomial model used adjusted well to experimental data. Vegetable oils (sunflower, corn, soy and canola) are advantageous for biodiesel production. Experimental data were inside limits established by American Society for Testing and Materials, European Norm and Brazilian Agency of the Oil.