Study of Performance and Emissions of Biodiesel Produced From Karanja Oil In Single Step Process Using Heterogeneous Catalyst on Diesel Engine

Abstract

Background: India is a developing country where more than 70% of petroleum products are import. Biodiesel production from local resources provides energy security; reduce import bill, generate employment and reduced emissions of harmful gases. newlineAim: The prime objective of present work was to produce biodiesel from Karanja oil (KO) in single step process using heterogeneous catalyst and investigate the performance and emissions characteristics of single cylinder diesel engine by blending various proportions of Karanja oil methyl ester (KOME) with diesel and to compare the results with pure diesel. newlineMaterials and Methods: Biodiesel was produced from KO using heterogeneous catalyst lithium impregnated calcium oxide (Li CaO) by single step simultaneousely esterification and transesterification method. Process parameters were varied to obtained higher yield. 100% yield was obtained using 5 wt. % of catalyst (catalyst/oil), 12:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil at 65 °C for 2 h of process time. Li CaO was characterized by powder XRD technique. Gas chromatography study of KOME has shown 98.37% conversion of KO into methyl ester. Important properties of KOME were measured which meets Indian biodiesel standards. Homogeneous catalyst (KOH as a base catalyst and H2SO4 as an acid catalyst) were also tested for biodiesel production from KO which has given a yield of 60% in single step process and 90% in two step process. Finaly, BD was produced by single step process using heterogeneous catalyst and prepared KOME was tested in diesel engine by blending 10%, 20%, 30%, and 50% with diesel as well as in pure form. Performance and exhaust gas analysis was carried out by varying the compression ratio of diesel engine. newline