Effect of Amine-Based Antioxidants as Stabilizers for Biodiesel

Abstract

Biodiesel is an environmentally-friendly fuel with low smoke emission because it contains about 10% oxygen. Biodiesel fuel prepared by transesterification of vegetable oil or animal fats is susceptible to auto-oxidation. The rate of auto-oxidation depends on the number of methylene double bonds contained within the fatty acid methyl or ethyl ester groups. Biodiesel may be easily oxidized under several conditions, i.e., upon exposure to sunlight, temperature, oxygen environment. Maintenance of the fuel quality of biodiesel requires the development of technologies to increase the resistance of biodiesel to oxidation. Treatment with antioxidants is a promising approach for extending the shelf-life or storage time of biodiesel. The chemical properties of various amine-based antioxidants were evaluated after synthesis of the antioxidants by condensation of phenylenediamine with alkylamines at room temperature. In general, the oxidative stability can be assessed based on various experimental parameters. Such parameters may include temperature, pressure, and the flow rate of air through the samples. The Rancimat method (EN14112) was selected because it is a rapid technique that requires very little sample and provides good precision for oxidative degradation analysis. Specifically, the EN 14112 technique provides enhanced efficiency for oxidative stability evaluation when a larger ester head group is utilized. Therefore, this technique was employed for evaluation of the oxidation stability of biodiesel by the Rancimat method (EN14112).