Catalysed Transesterification of Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil from Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria, for the Production of Biodiesel

The sunflower seed produced 49% oil and can serve as an alternative feedstock for biodiesel. The physico-chemical properties of sunflower seed oil were determined to be: Saponification value =173.230 mg KOH/g, Peroxide value = 6.300 Millie Qv peroxide/kg, Iodine value = 119.025 mm I/100g of oil, Acid Value = 0.85 mg KOH/g, Percentage of Free Fatty Acid = 0.425%. The physico-chemical properties of biodiesels produced by acid and base catalysis were determined to be: Flash point = 60°C and 73°C, Kinematic viscosity @ 40°C = 12.00 mm²/s and 11.72 mm²/s, Density @ 15°C = 0.7792 g/cm³ and 0.7644 g/cm³ respectively. All parameters were observed to fall within or almost in the range of ASTM standards. The GC/MS analysis of sunflower oil showed the major presence of Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (4.39 wt. %) and Eicosane (4.70 wt. %). For the acid catalysed biodiesel, high weight percentages of oleic acid (30.57%) and 9.12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester (29.34%) were produced. Also, high weight percentages of methyl esters; 9.12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester (67.15%) and 9- Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester, (22.35%) were produced in the base catalysed biodiesel.