Abstract

Exploring new feedstocks for biodiesel production is now receiving widespread attention world-over. This paper presents experimental results on properties of celerocarya birrea plant oil. Chemical properties analysis of birrea plant oil were performed using gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer, while the engine performance tests were conducted on a variable compression ignition engine. Parameters such as fuel consumption, engine torque and engine brake power were recorded at different engine loads for pure diesel fuel and birrea plant oil. The experimental results indicate that birrea plant oil offer immense potential as both fuel and feedstock for biodiesel production. The performance characteristics of ignition compression engine using birrea plant oil indicate that the optimum compression ignition engine occurs at 60% engine load. Similarly, the results revealed that variations in specific fuel consumption recorded for diesel fuel (D100) and birrea plant oil (BPO) between 30% and 60% show no significant difference for the fuels under review.