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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #381331

Research Project: Versatile Biobased Products with Multiple Functions

Location: Bio-oils Research

Title: Saturated chain factors as indices for correlating the cold flow properties of biodiesel

Author
item Dunn, Robert - Bob

Submitted to: Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/22/2021
Publication Date: 5/3/2021
Citation: Dunn, R.O. 2021. Saturated chain factors as indices for correlating the cold flow properties of biodiesel. In: Proceedings of the American Oil Chemists' Society Annual Meeting & Expo, May 3-14, 2021. Virtual Meeting.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The cold flow properties of biodiesel are an ongoing concern for industry and consumers. Development of new feedstocks often yields lipids with high concentrations of high-melting long-chain saturated fatty acids. Conversion of such lipids to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) results in biodiesel with high cloud point (CP) and cold filter plugging point (CFPP) values. Measurement of these properties takes time and often requires expensive instrumentations. This study develops saturated chain factors as indices for correlating the cold flow properties of biodiesel (FAME). Results showed that the saturated chain factor indices may be used to calculate the CP and CFPP of biodiesel within 1.2°C, with respect to measured properties. These indices and their associated correlation models offer a cost-effective means for determining the cold flow properties and performance of biodiesel derived from diverse lipid feedstocks.