Junaid Ahmad

Microwave-assisted methyl esters synthesis of Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) seed oil: parametric and optimization study

Article history: The depleting fossil fuel reserves and increasing environmental concerns have continued to stimulate research into biodiesel as a green fuel alternative produced from renewable resources. In this study, Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) oil methyl ester was produced by using microwave-assisted technique. The optimum operating conditions for the microwave-assisted transesterification of Kapok seed oil including temperature, catalyst loading, methanol to oil molar ratio, and irradiation time were investigated by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Central Composite Design (CCD). A maximum conversion of 98.9 % was obtained under optimum conditions of 57.09 °C reaction temperature, 2.15 wt% catalyst (KOH) loading, oil to methanol molar ratio of 1:9.85, and reaction time of 3.29 min. Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) spectroscopy was performed to verify the conversion of the fatty acid into methyl esters. The properties of Kapok oil methyl ester produced under the optimum conditions were characterized and found in agreement with the international ASTM D 6751 and EN 14214 standards.

Biodiesel Production from the High Free Fatty Acid “Hevea brasiliensis” and Fuel Properties Characterization

Energy crises, depletion of fossil fuel reservoirs, environmental pollution, global warming, green house effect and starvation are becoming very serious problems in the modern world. Biodiesel is a liquid fuel which can be the best alternative for the fossil fuels. In this study, non-edible rubber seed oil (RSO) with high free fatty acid (FFA) content (45%) was used for the production of biodiesel. The process comprises of two steps, in the first step acid esterification was used to reduce the FFA and in the second step base transesterification was employed to convert the treated oil into rubber seed oil methyl esters (RSOMEs). The conversion yield of biodiesel was analyzed using gas chromatography. The fuel properties were tested using the standard procedure of ASTM D6751 and EN14214. All the properties were within the ranges of the biodiesel standards. The result shows that rubber seed oil is a potential non-edible source for biodiesel production.

Effective techniques for vegetation monitoring of transmission lines right-of-ways

The monitoring of high-voltage transmission lines right-of-ways, regarding the cleaning and clearing of vegetation is done periodically by visual survey, video surveillance, or by air-borne LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) scanners. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) containing the geo-referenced data of lands, assets from where the transmission lines passes, vegetation near the line and the applications utilized are essential tools for the improvement of transmission lines maintenance. This paper proposes a concept of multispectral satellite stereo images to find out the 3D depth of vegetation endangering transmission lines right-of-ways, and also a new Multimedia Wireless Sensor Networks (MWSNs) based cost effective, less time consuming and a more accurate technique for the automated power line inspection against vegetation encroachment.

Parametric Study and Improvement in Fuel Properties of Pre-Blended Methyl Esters from Crude Palm and Rubber Seed Oil

Environmental emissions concerns and the precautions of energy supply have motivated curiosity in the growth of alternatives for fossil based energy carriers and chemicals. Biodiesel as an alternative fuel has a potential to overcome energy crisis and reduce exhaust emissions to environment. Unutilized Rubber seed oil (RSO) alkyl esters have a huge potential to avoid food scarcity issue with contributing to energy sector. Current research contributes to produce biodiesel from the crude blends of palm oil and RSO. Parameters that effect base transesterification were extensively studied and methyl esters were characterized according to international biodiesel standards. The low-temperature flow properties and oxidation stability of the produced methyl esters were enhanced by blending with Fossil Diesel (FD) fuel.

Comparative Study on Two-Step Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) Production from High FFA Crude Palm Oil Using Microwave Technique and Conventional Technique

The production of biodiesel from crude palm oil (CPO) using microwave technique is investigated and has been compared with conventional heating. Two-step biodiesel production process is applied to maximize the highest biodiesel yield in short reaction time using microwave method. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) as acid catalysts is used in pre-treatment of feedstock by esterification process followed by potassium hydroxide (KOH) as base catalyst for transesterification process with low methanol to oil ratio. The main purpose of the pre-treatment process is to reduce the free fatty acids (FFA) content of CPO from higher value of FFA content (>6.8%) to a minimum level for biodiesel production (<1%). Esterification and transesterification is carried out in fully instrumented and controlled microwave reactor system to get higher yield in shorter time. This two-step esterification and transesterification process showed that the maximum conversion of palm biodiesel obtained is 95.1% with the process conditions of methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 6:1, reaction temperature 65oC, reaction time 15min, and 2% (wt/wt) KOH amount using microwave method compared to conventional heating where the palm oil methyl ester (POME) yield obtained is 81% at the same conditions. The result showed that, the biodiesel production using microwave technique proved to be a fast and easy route to get high yields of biodiesel.

Improvement of Low Temperature Properties of Jatropha-Corn Biodiesel Blend with the Addition of Acrylic Co-Polymer

Inevitable low temperature properties is one of the major problems in commercialization of pure biodiesel. Increasing the usage of edible oil in biodiesel production creates the fuel versus food controversy. This paper involves the study of cold flow properties of edible and non-edible oils biodiesel. Corn biodiesel and jatropha biodiesel are blended respectively. The blend ratio of corn methyl ester and jatropha methyl ester CME: JME (20:80) has the oxidative stability of 6.42 hours and cold filter plugging point value of-2 oC. An additive of acrylic co-polymer as the cold flow improver (CFI) reduced the CFPP value from-2 oC to-6 oC which results in better low temperature properties of corn-jatropha biodiesel blend.