10-07-2012, 11:42 AM
Experimental Investigation of Pongamia, Jatropha and Neem
Methyl Esters as Biodiesel on C.I. Engine
Experimental Investigation.pdf (Size: 97.46 KB / Downloads: 50)
Introduction
Fuels derived from renewable biological resources for
use in diesel engines are known as biodiesel. Biodiesel is
environmentally friendly liquid fuel similar to petrol-diesel
in combustion properties. Increasing environmental
concern, diminishing petroleum reserves and agriculture
based economy of our country are the driving forces to
promote biodiesel as an alternate fuel. Biodiesel derived
from vegetable oil and animal fats is being used in USA
and Europe to reduce air pollution, to reduce dependence
on fossil fuel. In USA and Europe, their surplus edible oils
like soybean oil, sunflower oil and rapeseed oil are being
used as feed stock for the production of biodiesel. [1, 4]
Tranesterification:
The formation of methyl esters by transesterification of
vegetable oil requires raw oil, 15% of methanol & 5% of
sodium hydroxide on mass basis. However,
transesterification is an equilibrium reaction in which
excess alcohol is required to drive the reaction very close
to completion. The vegetable oil was chemically reacted
with an alcohol in presence of a catalyst to produce methyl
esters. Glycerol was produced as a by-product of
transesterification reaction.
Results and Discussions:
The experimental investigation was carried out for
different blends of Pongamia, Jatropha and Neem methyl
esters (biodiesel) and the performance was evaluated and
compared with diesel.
1. In Fig. 2, the Kinematic Viscosity (at room temperature
of 35°C) of different blends of methyl esters B10, B20,
B40 and B100 are higher than the viscosity of diesel.
But up to B20 the viscosity of biodiesel is very close to
the viscosity of diesel. So that the biodiesel of B5, B10,
B15 and B20 blends can be used with out any heating
arrangement.
Conclusions:
Following are the conclusions based on the
experimental results obtained while operating single
cylinder diesel engine fuelled with biodiesel from
Pongamia, Jatropha and Neem seed oils and their diesel
blends.
• Pongamia, Jatropha and Neem based methyl esters
(biodiesel) can be directly used in diesel engines
without any engine modifications.
• Brake thermal efficiency of B10, B20 and B40 blends
are better than B100 but still inferior to diesel.
• Properties of different blends of biodiesel are very
close to the diesel and B20 is giving good results.
• It is not advisable to use B100 in CI engines unless its
properties are comparable with diesel fuel.
• Smoke, HC, CO emissions at different loads were
found to be higher for diesel, compared to B10, B20,
B40 blends.