The Production of Biodiesel from Blended Commercial Oil in Mexico: A Comparative Study

Recently, a renewed interest has emerged in reformu- lated and alternative fuels as a way to control emissions and provide energy independence. Biodiesels (fatty acid methyl esters) derived from the transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats with methanol are potential substitutes for petroleum-based diesel fuels. Compared with conventional diesel, biodiesel has the advantages of being biodegradable, renewable, non-toxic, and producing low emis- sion of pollutants emissions (especially SOx). The biodiesel yield and its ester content were dependent on the type of vegetable oil used; both of these parameters decrease when the vegetable oils acid value increased due to neutralization of the free fatty acids in the oil. The work that we present here describes a process for the preparation of biodiesel using blended commercial oils and lithium hydroxide as a catalyst. The viscosity, peroxide and acid value of biodiesel complied with specifications established by the EU (European Union) for this type of fuel.