Thermogravimetric and calorimetric evaluation of babassu biodiesel obtained by the methanol route

The growing petroleum deficit requires the development of alternative fuel sources. Biodiesel is a good alternative, as it is a biodegradable and renewable product, which obeys the carbon cycle. In this work, the biodiesel from babassu was synthesized using the methanol route, and characterized by physico-chemical analyses in order to make able the investigated biodiesel to fulfill with its properties the requirements of Brazilian National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuel (ANP). Besides gas chromatography, IR spectroscopy experiments and thermoanalytical measurements in air and in nitrogen were done to determine the main thermal decomposition processes and calorimetric events. The evaporation temperature of babassu biodiesel was similar in both atmospheres, started around 52 in air and around 60°C in nitrogen.