Experimental investigations of storage stability of kusum biodiesel

Biodiesels proved their utility as an alternative fuel. It is derived from the organic matters like vegetable oil or animal fat, therefore making it vulnerable to oxidation during the long storage. In this study Kusum biodiesel (KME) was kept for 12 months. The physicochemical parameters of samples like peroxide value, kinematic viscosity, density, acid number, calorific value and flash point were measured at consistent intervals under varying storage conditions. The stability of KME was improved by adding two different antioxidant namely tert- Ecotive and butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ). The antioxidant was added 0.1% and 0.5% by weight of oil in the biodiesel samples. These antioxidants were found to give better results when added to KME.