BIO DIESEL - AN ECOFRIENDLY PRODUCT FOR RUNNING AUTOMOBILES
Introduction:
Biodiesel production mainly from plants source and it can provide power similar to conventional diesel and used as substitute alternative for petrol diesel. Biodiesel performs very similarly to low sulphur petroleum based diesel in terms of power and fuel efficiency which doesn’t require major engine modifications and along with it will reduce pollution, conserving non-renewable resources and lowering global warming.
Objective:
Biodiesel obtained from edible as well as non-edible oil types, waste frying oils, grease oils etc. Non edible oil types can be extracted at low cost compared to edible type and at same time they reduce the desertification of land, conserving the non renewable resources and provide energy security. It is the simple process of extraction where it needs mixture of alcohol and catalyst under transesterification or esterification results valuable biodiesel and glycerol.
Experimental Methods:
1. SOURCES:
List of Plants for Biodiesel Production
Plant Scientific Name Family Climate / Soil
Soya Glycine max Fabaceae Moist / alluvial soil, hot summer
Linseed Linum sativum Liniaceae Deep-clay-black soil, temperate, tropical zone
Rapeseed Brassica rapus Brassicaceae Winter, subtropical zone
Mustard Brassica juncea Cruciferaceae Sandy soil, spring
Rubber Ficus elastic Moraceae Cold climate, agro lands
Palm Pheonix dactylif Palmaceae Light, deep, well drained soil, tropical subtropical,
Jatropha Jatropha curcas Euphorbiaceae Marginal / saline / alkaline / acidic soil
Jajoba Simmodsia chinesis Simmondsiaceae Coarse, light, medium texture soils, semi arid crop
2. BIODIESEL PRODUCTION:
Figure 1: Plant flow chart of biodiesel production
Figure 2: Process flow chart of biodiesel production by transesterification & esterification
Apart from transesterification process, some other new methods being employed are :
• Batch process
• Ultrasonic reaction
• Supercritical process
• Microwave method
Results and Discussion:
Biodiesel is considered safer fuel than petro diesel as having high flash point of 300ºF compared to petrol (125ºF).
ADVANTAGE
• High cetane number (measurement of the combustion quality of diesel fuel)
• Net positive energy yield
• Reduced fuel consumption and carbon monoxide emission
• Enhanced thermal efficiency and mileage efficiency of engine
• Environmental Benefits and Economic considerations
• Burning biodiesel releases carbon that has been taken out of atmosphere by plants, so that carbon dioxide released doesn’t add to global warming
• Cancer risk reduced due to absence of unborn hydrocarbons, neonatal disorders are reduced
• Lubricity is much higher & reduced corrosion, increases performances, longevity of engine
• Reduction in health care costs due to better air quality
• Green house mitigation
• Good potential for rural employment generation
• India has vast stretch of degraded lands and plantation of plants producing biodiesel can increase the fertility and reduce desertification of land and results in the concentrated increase in renewable energy resources
• Inter cropping of plants producing biodiesel with cereal crops, lemon grass, turmeric which is an economic viable option when compared to mono-cropping
• Fodder, forage, fencing for animals
• Storage of conventional biodiesel provides energy security and can be stored up to 6 months safely
DISADVANTAGES
• Currently more expensive
• Slightly lower economy and power
• More nitrogen oxide emissions
• Transportation and storage of B 100 (Biodiesel grade 100) require special management
• B 100 generally not suitable for use in low temperatures since it thickens at temperature less than 40ºC
• Technical problems of biodiesel under winter operability
Conclusion
Biodiesel exploring energy alternatives assumes top priority, mainly in the field of reducing fuel consumptions, reduction in carbon monoxide emission which leads to environmental benefits, economic considerations and reduced in health care costs due to better air quality. In addition, due to reduction in the cost of processing of biodiesel, it developed low cost feed stocks & produced a resource inventory and identifies potential markets in order to balance cost and availability with primary uses of biodiesel.
Bibliography:
1. www.bovinebazaar.com/bioadvantages.htm accessed on 25th August 2009.
2. www.apinnovations.com/biofuels.htm?gclid=COG_uYvm6pgCFQcupAod6Bjn1A accessed on 27th August 2009.
3. www.marceloburbano.blogspot.com/2006/10/advantages-adn-disadvantages-of.... accessed on 17th September 2009.
| 
