Properties of Tung oil biodiesel and its blends with 0# diesel

Tung oil was used to produce biodiesel by transesterification with methanol catalyzed by potassium hydroxide and the influence of the transesterification temperatures on the properties of the Tung oil biodiesel was investigated. FT-IR, UV, and GC–MS results indicated that the triconjugated double bonds of Tung oil were stable during the transesterification procedure between 25 and 60 °C. The results of properties showed that Tung oil biodiesel had a low cold filter plugging point (CFPP, −19 °C) and a higher kinetic viscosity (KV, 7.070 mm2/s). Acid value (AV), KV, and CFPP increased with the increase of storing time. Blending Tung oil biodiesel with 0# diesel could improve its stability. B20 or lower blends could still meet the specification of ASTM D7467 after storage for a month. They were more stable than pure Tung oil biodiesel.