Biodiesel Produced from Azadirachta indica and Hevea brasiliensis Seeds Oil: Effect of Additives on Cold Flow Properties

This study is aimed to evaluate the effect of additives on cold flow properties of biodiesel fuel obtained from Azadirachta indica and Hevea brasiliensis, readily available seed oil in Nigeria. The seed oils were converted to biodiesels via transesterification and additives kerosene, Eva, Ethanol, Cristol and Lubrizol were added to evaluate the cold flow properties. The results showed that biodiesel produced from Azadirachta indica and Hevea brasiliensis has closed properties to diesel. Effects of ethanol, kerosene and commercial additive on cold flow behaviour of this biodiesel revealed that kerosene and EVA improve the cold flow properties when blended up to 20%. Though, lower blends (2%) with cristol and Lubrizol 7671 shows better lowering of cold flow properties of biodiesels from Azadirachta indica and Hevea brasiliensis seed oils. This will lead to development of biodiesel as an alternative source of energy to diesel.