Effect of Additives on Flow Properties of Pure Biodiesels and Their Mixtures at Low Temperatures

The effect of concentration of two chemical additives polymethacrylate (PMA) and polyalphaolefn (PAO) on the cloud point, pour point and kinematic viscosity of Jatropha biodiesel and Karanja biodiesel and their mixture has been studied. The concentration of a chemical additive has been varied in the range of 0 - 10 g/L. For the same concentration 7.5 g/L of chemical additive, the reduction in the cloud point is 4°C with PAO compared to 2°C with PMA. and the reduction in pour point is 10–11°C with PAO compared to 7–8°C with PMA. With increase in concentration of either PMA or PAO from 0 to 10 g/L, the reduction of20-25 percent in kinematic viscosity ofpure biodiesels and their mixture has been observed. This study indicates that PAO is superior compared to PMA in improving the flow properties of Jatropha biodiesel and Karanja biodiesel and their mixture at low temperatures.