The Potential Of Telfairia Pedata For Liquid Biofuel And Soap Production

About two billion people around the world have no access to modern energy. More than 84% of Kenya population use kerosene for cooking and lighting therefore it is necessary to search for suitable alternatives to liquid and cooking fuels. In this study, oil extracted from Telfairia pedata Hook (Oyster nut) was transesterified in methanol using sodium hydroxide catalyst. Methyl ester obtained was characterized by GC-MS and further tested for fuel properties relative to conventional diesel fuels (automotive diesel and kerosene). The results identified linoleate, hexadecanoate and octadecanoate as the fatty acid esters in the methyl ester. The ester viscosity at (40 o C) was in the range of 4.22±1.9 mm 2 /s for Telfairia pedata compared to 4.188 mm 2 /s for automotive diesel fuels. The flash point of the ester was much higher (127 o C) than referenced diesel fuels (74 o C) and they are within the European standard EN-14214 for biodiesel of >100 o C. The density of Telfairia pedata ester was 0.8752 g/cm 3 of which was higher than 0.8621 g/cm 3 automotive diesel and 0.7884 g/cm 3 kerosene respectively. The esters were further blended with automotive diesel in ranges of 5-70% on volume ratio. Blends of 20% biodiesel in 80% petroleum diesel demonstrated the most ideal properties with viscosity and density very close to that of pure petroleum diesel. The esters were further tested in a multi-wick stove following standard water boiling test (WBT) and their performance in terms of time to boil, heat transfer efficiency, power output and specific fuel consumption .The esters burnt with odorless and non pungent smell with mean thermal transfer efficiency of 45±0.5% compared to 50±0.5% thermal transfer efficiency of petroleum kerosene fuel.