Improvement of cold filter plugging point of biodiesel from alternative feedstocks

The present investigation evaluates the effectiveness of different strategies to improve cold flow properties of biodiesel from vegetable and animal origin containing highly saturated methyl esters. In this purpose palm, tallow, chicken and jatropha biodiesel samples were blended with higher unsaturated methyl esters such as soybean and rapeseed biodiesel samples, alongside cold flow improvers. Furthermore, the influence of removing the minor components such as steryl glucosides and monoglycerides from biodiesel samples on the CFPP was studied. Appropriate blend ratio and additive choice are discussed for practical usage at climate of maximum 0 °C ± 1 °C. In general, the CFPP of the biodiesel samples with poor cold flow properties was improved by formulation with biodiesel samples exhibiting better cold flow properties and/or additivation. However, the removal of minor components did not improve the CFPP.