Biodiesel Production from Chicken Fat Using Nano-calcium Oxide Catalyst and Improving the Fuel Properties via Blending with Diesel

In this research, biodiesel was produced using chicken fat in the presence of calcium oxide nano-catalyst. To do so, the effect of various parameters like temperature, reaction time, catalyst amount and methanol to oil ratio was investigated on the biodiesel production. The results showed that the best conditions for biodiesel production were obtained such as the temperature of 65oC, methanol to oil ratio of 1:9, the catalyst amount of 1 wt.% and reaction time of 5 h which in these conditions the biodiesel efficiency was determined 94.4%. Then, for improvement of fuel properties, they were mixed with diesel in different ratios (B25, B50, and B75) and their properties such as flash point, cloud point, pour point, kinematic viscosity and density were analyzed according to international standards. The results showed that the mixture ratio of B75 and B100 had density and viscosity in the range of standard. Additionally, this fuel should not be used in cold weather since its pour point is greater than zero.