Comparative study of oxidative stability of sunflower and cotton biodiesel through P-DSC

Biodiesel can contain unsaturated fatty acids, which are susceptible to oxidation, being able to change into polymerized compounds. Oxidative stability is very important in the quality control of oils and biodiesel. In this study, biodiesel samples were produced through the methyl route, using a homogeneous catalyst. The determination of methyl esters was performed by gas chromatography in order to confirm the conversion of the carboxylic acids present in the raw material for the methyl esters. Also proved the presence of methyl linoleate and methyl oleate to the major constituent of biodiesel. The thermal and oxidative stability of sunflower and cotton oils and their biodiesel, using TG and P-DSC techniques were investigated. The use of P-DSC to measure the oxidative induction time was very important. These measurements were used to evaluate the cotton and sunflower oils, and their respective biodiesel. It was found that the thermal-oxidative stability of vegetable oils and their biodiesel were similar, due to the fact that both presented chemical composition and percentages of fatty acids similar.