Potential of Magnetic Sand as Catalyst for the Heterogeneous Transesterification of Luffa (Luffa cylindrica) Seed Oil to Biodiesel

The catalytic activity of crude Magnetic sand obtained from Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria, in converting luffa oil to its methylester was investigated. The X-ray diffraction spectra have confirmed the sample to be crystalline phase of magnetite Fe2O3. X-ray fluorescent analysis revealed that the sample contains several impurities in various minute quantities which act as dopants substituting some parts of Fe in the spinel structure without forming any other individual phase. The crystallite size was found to be 78.10 nm. Fe3O4 was used as heterogeneous catalyst for the conversion of Luffa oil to its methyl ester. The effect of methanol/oil molar ratio, reaction time, catalyst amount and reaction temperature were investigated. The optimum yield of 34.1% of Luffa methyl ester was obtained at 60°C (temperature), 15:1 methanol/oil molar ratio, 5 h reaction time and 5wt% catalyst amount. Fuel properties of Luffa methyl ester were also investigated; Viscosity at 40°C is 6.7mm2/s, Flash point 81°C, Pour point 4°C, Ash content 0.03%, Density 0.88 g/cm3, and Specific gravity at 15°C being 0.82. Functional characteristics of Luffa methyl ester was obtained using Fourier transform infra- red spectroscopy (FT-IR). The fuel viscosity and flash points are indicative of the viability of this fuel in diesel engines.