Vegetable diesel fuels from Luffa cylindrica oil, its methylester and ester-diesel blends

Abstract

 With regard to industrial and technological development, the cost of fuel is on the increase. Based on this, Luffa cylindrica oil was extracted, its methylester was prepared and the fuel properties such as flash
 point, acid value, relative density, viscosity, carbon residue, ash, moisture and calorific value were determined. Atomic absorption spectroscopy result of the microelement composition of the samples showed 
that the metallic contents would not cause corrosion. Fourier Transform
 Infrared[FTIR]spectroscopy was used to compare the samples’ bond structure/stability with diesel. The results showed that Luffa oil, methylester and ester/diesel blends had similar fuel properties with diesel
 oil. These results confirmed that Luffa methyl ester and its blends could be used as substitutes for diesel oil in grade one diesel engines, and that the Luffa oil could be used to drive class 4-D diesel engines. It has been recommended that Luffa seed, though a waste should be processed since it has a high percentage oil content.