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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #293643
Title: Cuphea oil as a potential biodiesel feedstock to improve fuel properties

Author
item Knothe, Gerhard

Submitted to: Journal of Energy Engineering
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/11/2014
Publication Date: 5/12/2014
Citation: Knothe, G.H. 2014. Cuphea oil as a potential biodiesel feedstock to improve fuel properties. Journal of Energy Engineering. 140, SPECIAL ISSUE: Innovative Technologies on Combustion of Biofuels in Engines: Issues and Challenges, A5014001.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: One of the approaches to improving the fuel properties of biodiesel, a fuel derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, or other triacylglycerol-containing materials, is to use a feedstock with an inherently different fatty acid profile than most common feedstocks such as commodity vegetable oils. Cuphea oil is such a feedstock. Cuphea oil is highly enriched in decanoic acid, which causes the biodiesel fuel derived from it to exhibit improved properties. Cuphea oil, however, faces agronomic issues before widespread commercial production is possible. This article briefly summarizes recent research results regarding cuphea oil in relation to the biodiesel fuel derived from it.