TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian nanotechnology researchers at Islamic Azad University of Bushehr used nano-calcium oxide catalyst to produce biodiesel from chicken fat and improve 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," Hossein Esmayeeli, one of the researchers, said on Wednesday.
The results showed that the best conditions for biodiesel production were obtained in the temperature of 65 °C, 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%, he added.
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, Esmayeeli said.
The results showed that the mixture ratio of B75 and B100 had density and viscosity in the range of standard, he said, adding that the fuel should not be used in cold weather since its pour point is bigger than zero.
The Iranian scientists have made great progress in new technologies, including nanotechnology.
In a relevant development late in September, a straightforward, highly efficient and low-cost biological method was introduced by Iranian scientists for the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles from iron scraps.