Pradip Lingfa

A review on production of biodiesel using catalyzed transesterification

Biodiesel is arguably an important fuel for compression ignition engine as far as sustainability and environmental issues are concerned. It can be produced from both edible and non-edible vegetable oils and animal fats. Owing to higher viscosity, the utilization of crude vegetable oil is not advisable as it results engine failure. For reducing the viscosity and improving the other fuel characteristics comparable to that of diesel fuel, different approaches have been developed. However, transesterification process is very reliable, less costly and easy method compared to other methods. Due to more free fatty acids content in most of the non-edible vegetable oils, a pretreatment is employed to convert the acids to ester, then transesterified with suitable alcohol. Primarily yield of biodiesel depends upon the molar ratio of oil/alcohol, reaction temperature, reaction time, amount of catalyst, type of catalyst, stirring speed. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts are used for synthesis purposes. Heterogeneous catalysts are less costly, environmental benign and can be derived from natural resources. Enzymatic catalysts are more environmental benign than heterogeneous catalysts but are costly, which hinders its widespread research and utilization. This article reviews the results of prominent works and researches in the field of production of biodiesel via catalyzed transesterification process.

Performance evaluation of Nahar oil–diesel blends in a single cylinder direct injection diesel engine

ABSTRACT This study attempts to use plentiful available high oil content (67% of Nahar seed kernel) non-edible feedstock as a source for powering diesel engine. Various performance and emission characteristics of prepared Nahar oil–diesel blends (5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) are analyzed in a single cylinder direct injection diesel engine at different load spectrum, in order to judge the optimum blend, which can be efficiently used in a diesel engine. 10% blending of Nahar oil with diesel fuel has shown a reduction in hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emission by 8.64% and 8.34%, respectively. With the increase in blend concentration, the nitrogen oxide emission decreased considerably and smoke emission increased slightly. Further pressure crank angle and heat release rate analysis of 10% blending of Nahar oil with diesel confirms its smooth combustion inside the engine combustion chamber.

Production of Biodiesel from High FFA Non-edible Nahar Oil and Optimization of Yield

This paper elucidates biodiesel production from high FFA (16%) Nahar seed oil. Oil content was found to be 67 wt% of Nahar seed kernel. Fatty acid profile of Nahar seed oil reveals 28.434% saturated fatty acid composition with 69.594% unsaturation. Double stage acid base transesterification process was developed, as single stage alkali catalyzed transesterification failed to yield biodiesel due to production of soaps. The first stage acid pretreatment reduces acid value to less than 1.5%. A heterogeneous catalyst calcium oxide (CaO) is used in the 2nd stage yield a maximum of 88% biodiesel at an optimum condition of reaction parameters such as; molar ratio of oil to alcohol 1:8, 2.5 wt% of CaO loading, reaction temperature of 65 °, reaction speed of 600 rpm for 2.5 h of reaction time. Some of the important properties of prepared biodiesel like density, viscosity, calorific value, flash point, fire point, cloud point, pour point etc. were evaluated and confirmed to the limit prescribed by ASTM standard. The biodiesel obtained from two stage transesterification is commercially viable and possess superior quality. This study encourages biodiesel production from an abundantly available non-edible feedstock in India as an alternative fuel for any diesel engine.

Isolation, biomass estimation and characterization of the biofuel potential of diatom Navicula Sphaerophora

Navicula Sphaerophora was isolated from a fresh water reservoir in Arunachal Pradesh, India. N. Sphaerophora was grown on two different culture media, chu13 medium and Miracle Gro-medium. The maximum yield was obtained by using culture medium chu13(5.08u2005g/100ml of culture media). Microalgae crude oil was extracted using soxhlation method with three different solvents n-hexane, iso-propanol and hexane/ iso-propanol mixture. The maximum crude oil was obtained using n-hexane as a solvent (13.8% of dry weight biomass). The crude oil was converted into biodiesel using single stage transesterification process with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a base catalyst. Fuel properties of algae biodiesel satisfied biodiesel standard ASTM D6751 and use of this fuel should be comparable with petroleum diesel. Further short term engine test was conducted on single cylinder direct injection diesel engine at four different load (25%,50%,75% and 100%). Three different petroleum diesel and Microalgae Biodiesel blends (10%, 20% and 30%) were prepared. The influence of biodiesel blends on BSFC (brake specific fuel consumption), BTE (brake thermal efficiency), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), UBHC (unburnt hydrocarbons), carbonmonoxide (CO) and smoke opacity was studied and compared with petroleum diesel. Microalgae methyl ester 50% blend (B50) had lowest brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and highest Brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) as compared to diesel; this may be due to Lower calorific value. HC, CO emission and smoke opacity reduces significantly with microalgae methyl ester. However, the NOx emission increases with all blends when compared to petroleum diesel. 10% microalgae blend with petroleum diesel showed the closet performance to petroleum diesel. Results obtained from present investigation confirmed the biofuel potentiality of Navicula Sphaerophora.Navicula Sphaerophora was isolated from a fresh water reservoir in Arunachal Pradesh, India. N. Sphaerophora was grown on two different culture media, chu13 medium and Miracle Gro-medium. The maximum yield was obtained by using culture medium chu13(5.08u2005g/100ml of culture media). Microalgae crude oil was extracted using soxhlation method with three different solvents n-hexane, iso-propanol and hexane/ iso-propanol mixture. The maximum crude oil was obtained using n-hexane as a solvent (13.8% of dry weight biomass). The crude oil was converted into biodiesel using single stage transesterification process with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a base catalyst. Fuel properties of algae biodiesel satisfied biodiesel standard ASTM D6751 and use of this fuel should be comparable with petroleum diesel. Further short term engine test was conducted on single cylinder direct injection diesel engine at four different load (25%,50%,75% and 100%). Three different petroleum diesel and Microalgae Biodiesel blends (10%, 20% and...

An experimental investigation on the application potential of heterogeneous catalyzed Nahar biodiesel and its diesel blends as diesel engine fuels

ABSTRACT From the inception of commercialization of biodiesel, feedstock scarcity is a major issue to be pondered upon in developing countries. In this study, an attempt has been made to use an abundantly available underutilized high oil content (67% of Nahar seed kernel) feedstock derived biodiesel in a compression ignition engine. The experimental investigation on diesel engine reveals slightly reduced brake thermal efficiency and excellent exhaust emissions up to 40% blending of Nahar biodiesel with conventional diesel fuel. At full load, compared to diesel fuel, the BTE dropped by 1.64% and 1.83%, whereas the BSFC increased by 5.07% and 6.76% for B30 and B40 blends, respectively. The tested emission parameters such as CO, HC, NOx, and smoke were decreased by 12.66%, 17.99%, 8.31%, and 10.61% for B30 and 4.87%, 12.76%, 7.98%, and 11.78% for B40, respectively, compared to diesel fuel. Abbreviation: BD: Biodiesel; DF: Diesel fuel