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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 #306651

Title: Biodiesel: Fuel properties, its “Design” and a source of “Designer” fuel

Author
item Knothe, Gerhard

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/3/2014
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The fuel properties of biodiesel, a biogenic alternative to petrodiesel, are largely determined by its component fatty acid alkyl esters, most commonly methyl esters. These esters have vastly different properties. The properties of biodiesel are an aggregate of the properties of its components and their amounts. Properties of significance include the cetane number as well as other combustion-related properties, viscosity, oxidation stability, cold flow, density, and lubricity. This presentation will give an overview of these properties for different fatty acid alkyl esters and how they affect the biodiesel mixture as well as discuss components of biodiesel that lead to a fuel with improved properties, “designer” biodiesel. Optimized biodiesel could be based on enrichment in palmitoleic or decanoic acids. Although facing agronomic issues, a potential source of biodiesel enriched in decanoic acid is Cuphea oil.