FORMULATION OF AN OPTIMAL NON-EDIBLE OIL BLEND (NEEM AND YELLOW OLEANDER) FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

ABSTRACT
The increasing dependence on fossil fuels and their adverse environmental impact necessitates
the development of sustainable alternatives. Biodiesel, a fuel derived from vegetable oils, offers
a promising solution. However, using edible oils for biodiesel production raises concerns about
competition with food security. This study explores the viability of a non-edible oil blend (neem
and yellow oleander oil) as a feedstock for biodiesel production. To formulate an optimal blend
of the two feedstocks for biodiesel production, a D-optimal mixture design was employed on the
blends in different ratios. This approach allowed the identification of the blend ratios that
maximized the oil blend for biodiesel production while improving its properties compared to
using the individual oils. Characterization of both oils individually and as a blend was carried out
to determine their properties. The result obtained from the numerical optimizationidentified the
optimal blend of neem seed oil and yellow oleander oil in the proportions 16.15% and 83.85%
respectively. The characterization results of the saponification value, acid value, density, and
FFA values for the non-edible oils of neem oils were in the range of 350.6 mg KOH/g oil, 29.38
– 30.44 mg KOH/g oil, 894 kg/m3, and 14.68% - 15.22% respectively, that of yellow oleander
were 538.56 mgKOH/g oil, 16.38 – 18.1 mg KOH/g oil, 907 kg/m3, and 8.19% - 9.05%
respectively while that of the oil blends were in the range of 322.6 mg KOH/g oil, 18.8 – 29.46
mg KOH/g oil, 896 - 905 kg/m3, and 9.40% - 14.73% respectively. These findings demonstrate
the potential of utilizing anoptimal blend of neem and yellow oleander oil for sustainable
biodiesel production.