Synthesis and Characterization of New Biodiesels Derived From Oils of Plants Growing in Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota

Abstract

We report on the preparation and selected properties of some new biodiesels which we synthesized from oils of plants growing in Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. The composition and the low‐temperature properties such as crystallization onset Tc and end of melting Tm investigated with the help of differential scanning calorimetry are presented. Some of these biodiesels exhibited remarkably good low‐temperature characteristics. In order to further improve these properties, we use a variety of alcohols during the transesterification process, including isopropyl, 2‐butyl, and isoamyl alcohols. Using several parameters such as oil content and crystallization onset temperature Tc, plant species that appear most promising have been identified, among those highbush cranberry (Tc ≈ −31 °C for its methyl esters, Tc ≈ −41 °C for its 2‐butyl esters), dotted horsemint (Tc ≈ −17 °C for its methyl esters, Tc ≈ −40 °C for its 2‐butyl esters), and American hazelnut (Tc ≈ −19 °C for its methyl esters, Tc ≈ −30 °C for its 2‐butyl esters).

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Nov 06, 2011
Source ID
10.1007/s11746-011-1963-0

Entities

People

  • Aaron Stewart
  • Adam Jersett
  • Damodar Koirala
  • Dan Levings
  • James W. Lane
  • Kurt Hukriede
  • Michael A. Waxman

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory
  • University of Wisconsin-Superior

Tags

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Superconducting Magnet Technology