ABSTRACT
Biodiesel, a fuel derived from vegetable oils, offers greener energy. However, using edible oils for biodiesel production raises concerns about food security leading to the debate about Fuel vs food. This study explores the viability of a non-edible oil blend as a feedstock for a sustainable biodiesel production. A mixture design and was employed, generating the experimental runs (13) for the blends of neem and yellow oleander oil in different proportions. An optimal blend that maximized biodiesel yield while improving its properties compared to using the individual oils was determined. Both oils were characterized separately and as a blend, The non-edible oils of neem were found to have saponification values, acid values, densities, and FFA values ranging from 350.6 to mg KOH/g oil, 29.38 to 30.44 mg KOH/g oil, 894 kg/m3 , and 14.68% to 15.22%, respectively; those of yellow oleander were found to have 538.56 mg KOH/g oil, 16.38 to 18.1 mg KOH/g oil, 907 kg/m3, and 8.19% - 9.05%, respectively, while the oils blends were found to have values ranging from 322.6 to 56 mg KOH/g oil, 18.8 to 29.46 mg KOH/g oil, 896 to 905 kg/m3 , and 9.40% to 14.73%, respectively. The optimal blend of yellow oleander oil and neem oil was found to be 83.85% and 16.15%, respectively, according to the numerical optimization's findings. These results validate the viability of the oil blend and highlight the possibility of producing sustainable biodiesel using the optimal blend of oleander and neem oils.
