Fuel Characterization of Terminalia Catappa Biodiesel: A Sustainable Pathway to Renewable Energy and Environmental Preservation

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable energy sources has intensified global interest in biodiesel derived from non-edible plant oils. This study investigates the fuel properties and chemical composition of biodiesel produced from Terminalia catappa seed oil. Oil extracted from the kernels was converted into biodiesel through base-catalyzed transesterification using methanol and potassium hydroxide catalyst. The produced biodiesel was characterized using standard analytical techniques including density measurement, kinematic viscosity, flash point determination, cetane number estimation, and calorific value analysis according to American Society for Testing and Materials standards. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis revealed the presence of major fatty acid methyl esters including oleic acid methyl ester, linoleic acid methyl ester, and palmitic acid methyl ester. The results show that the fuel properties of Terminalia catappa biodiesel are within the acceptable range of international biodiesel standards, suggesting that it is a viable renewable alternative to petroleum diesel. The study demonstrates that utilizing T. catappa seed oil for biodiesel production can contribute to renewable energy development while reducing environmental pollution.