Economics, Formulation Techniques and Properties of Biodiesel: A Review

Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology
All Rights Reserved Euresian Publications (c) 2011 eISSN 2249 0256
Available Online at: www.environmentaljournal.org
Volume1, Issue 2: 124-134




Open Access






Review Article

Economics, Formulation Techniques and Properties of Biodiesel: A Review

1Mathur Y. B., 2Poonia M. P. and 3Jethoo A. S.

1Government Polytechnic College, Bikaner (India)
2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur (India)
3Department of Civil Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur (India)

Corresponding author: asjethoo@gmail.com

Abstract:
Due to limited resources of fossil fuels and the environmental concern, there has been improved focus on
vegetable oils and biodiesel fuel as an alternative source of energy. Governments across the world are
injecting huge amount of money into the development of this sector in an attempt to reduce their
dependency on fossil fuels. However, the alternative diesel fuels must be technically and environmentally
acceptable, and economically competitive. From the viewpoint of these requirements, triglycerides and
their derivatives may be considered as viable alternatives for diesel fuels. One of the main problems of
vegetable oil use in diesel engine is their higher kinematic viscosity due to which problems occur in pumping
and atomization, ring-sticking, carbon deposits on the piston, cylinder head, ring grooves, etc. Hence,
straight vegetable oils have to be modified to bring their combustion related properties closer to diesel. This
fuel modification is mainly aimed at reducing the viscosity in order to get rid of flow/ atomization related
problems. In the present work, efforts have been made to understand and compile the outcome of
researches on economics of biodiesel fuel, issues associated with use of vegetable oil in diesel engine by
using some well known techniques available to overcome higher viscosity related problems for making them
compatible with the hydrocarbon-based diesel and biodiesel fuel properties.

Keywords: Biodiesel, Blending, Micro-Emulsion, Pyrolysis, Transesterification, Vegetable Oil

1.0 Introduction:

The conventional fossil fuel resources are
for engine fuel may seem insignificant today, but
depleting continuously at an alarming rate
such oils may become in course of time, as
resulting in increasing dependency on renewable
important as petroleum and coal tar products of
sources of energy. Fossil fuel combustion has also
the present time". The above prediction is
degraded the environment and earth has become
becoming true today as more and more biodiesel
a subtle place for survival of mankind. Among the
is being used all over the world (Hossain and
various renewable energy options, biodiesel from
Davies, 2010; Dileep et al., 2007). Despite the
seed oil crops have a great potential for meeting
widespread use of fossil petroleum-derived diesel
the future increasing demands of petroleum and
fuels, interest in vegetable oils as fuel for internal
its products. Biodiesel is gaining worldwide
combustion engines was reported in several
acceptance as an environment-friendly solution to
countries during the 1920s and 1930s. The use of
the energy and environment degradation crisis. It
biodiesel was recognized much later and became
is an accepted option for achieving energy
technically relevant only after the energy crisis in
security, reduction in imports, rural employment,
the year 1973 and afterwards. More recently, in
and for improving the agricultural economy
1977, Brazilian scientist Expedito Parente invented
(Parikh, 2005). Biodiesel results in substantial
and submitted first industrial process for the
reduction of un-burnt hydrocarbons, carbon
production of biodiesel for patent (Gerhard, 2005).
monoxide, and particulate matter (Srivastava and

Prasad, 2000; Banapurmath et al., 2008; Baiju et
1.2 Feedstock for Biodiesel Production:
al., 2009; Beepanraj and Lawrence, 2011). Hence
Biodiesel, derived from the oils and fats of plants
at this particular juncture, much emphasis has to
like Soybean, Cotton, Sunflower, Jojoba, Rapeseed,
be given for exploitation of sustainable, long
Canola, Jatropha Curcas, Thumba and animal fat
lasting, renewable sources of energy.
by transesterification process can be used as a

complete substitute or an additive to diesel up to
1.1 Historical Background of Biodiesel:
maximum possible extent (Sahoo and Das, 2009;
Dr. Rudolf Diesel, who invented the first Diesel
Xuezheng et al., 2009). Owing to their availability,
Engine in 1895, used only biofuel in his engine. His
various oils have been in use in different countries
visionary statement was "The use of vegetable oils
as feedstock for biodiesel production. The
124
Mathur Y. B. et al.

---

Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology
vegetable oils used for biodiesel are mainly
economics of biodiesel, its formulation techniques
Rapeseed or Sunflower oil in Europe, the USA and
and fuel related properties in recent past. In this
Canada uses Soyabean, Rapeseed, other waste oils
paper, a detail survey of literature is therefore
and fats; frying oil and animal fat is the chosen
undertaken to comprehensively review the
option in Ireland; Castor oil and Soyabean oil is
different recently published research papers on
used in Brazil; Coconut oil is preferred in Malaysia
economical
viability,
conversion
of
straight
and Philippines; Palm oil in Thailand, Malaysia,
vegetable oil into biodiesel and combustion related
Indonesia and the Philippines; Cotton Seed oil in
properties of biodiesel fuel for their utilization in
Greece; Linseed and Olive oil in Spain; Jatropha
diesel engines.
and Karanja in used in India, Nicaragua and Africa

to produce biodiesel (Frank et al., 2009; Altin et
2.0 Economics of Biodiesel:
al., 2001, Arjun et al., 2008). Several other non-
Economical feasibility of biodiesel depends on the
edible plants such as Neem (Azadirachta Indica),
price of the crude petroleum and the cost of
Meswak (Salvadora Species), Mahua (Madhuca
transporting diesel through long distances. It is
indica), Rubber (Hevea Species), Castor (Ricinus
certain that the cost of crude petroleum is bound
communis), Diploknema Butracea, Garcinia Species
to increase due to increase in its intensive
and Thumba (Citrullus colocynthis) can also be
demand, limited supply, strict regulations on the
used for producing biofuels in India (Barnwal and
aromatics and sulphur contents in diesel fuels
Sharma, 2005; Mohibbe et al., 2005; Augustus et
which will result in higher cost of production of
al., 2003).
diesel fuels as removal of aromatics from the

distillate
fractions
requires
capital-intensive
1.3 Biodiesel as Fuel for Diesel Engines:
processing equipments. The major economic
Biodiesel, the renewable liquid fuel produced from
factor to consider for input costs of biodiesel
biological raw material is a good substitute for
production is the feedstock (price of seed, seed
petroleum diesel. Biodiesel contains no petroleum,
collection and oil extraction, transport of seed and
but it can be blended at any level with petroleum
oil), which is about 75-80% of the total operating
diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in
cost. Other important cost related factors are
compression ignition engines with little or no
labour, methanol and catalyst for biodiesel
modifications. As an alternative fuel, biodiesel can
conversion for straight vegetable oil, which must
provide almost same power output as of diesel
be added to the feedstock. Cost recovery will be
(Gumus and Kasifoglu, 2010; Zafer and Mevlut,
through sale of oil cake and of glycerol (Mulugetta,
2008; Christian et al., 2009, Pall et al., 2009). The
2009). The volatile oil prices due to increased
conversion process of vegetable oil into biodiesel
demand have necessitated for continuous research
is quite efficient, in nearly one-to-one ratio.
and development into the biodiesel sector so as to
Among the many advantages of biodiesel fuel
increase the production of biodiesel of suitable
which includes its safe use in all conventional
quality and at reasonable price so that it can
diesel
engines,
offers
almost
the
same
compete with diesel fuel. Between 2001 and 2006
performance and engine durability as conventional
alone, the global annual production of biodiesel
diesel fuel, non-toxic and reduces tailpipe
grew up by 43% (Victor et al., 2010).
emissions, visible black smoke and noxious fumes

and odours and higher cetane number which
India has rich and abundant forest resources with
improve the combustion characteristics. However
a wide range of plants and oilseeds. The
NOX emission of biodiesel increases because of
production of these oilseeds can be stepped up
rapid combustion and other fuel characteristics.
many folds for producing diesel fuels. Economical
Diesel fuel blends with biodiesel have superior
feasibility of biodiesel depends on the price of the
lubricating properties with reduced wear and tear
crude petroleum and the cost of transporting
on the diesel engine components. The most
diesel to long distances to remote markets in India.
common diesel fuel blends are B10 containing 10
Further, the strict regulations on the aromatics
percent biodiesel and B20 containing 20 percent
and sulphur contents in diesel fuels will result in
biodiesel (Sirisomboon et al., 2007; Nag et al.,
higher cost of production of conventional diesel
1995).
fuels. The reason for high biodiesel prices are the

limited availability of biodiesel feedstocks. The
Lot of research work is being done to analyse the
biodiesel program in any country has a time lag
engine combustion and performance using straight
between
policy
planning
and
actual
vegetable oils as well as biodiesel but fewer
implementation and hence the introduction could
researchers have analysed and compiled the
be gradual, gaining the maturity only after 4-5
125
Mathur Y. B. et al.

---

Uni
n v
i e
v r
e s
r a
s l
a
l J
o
J u
o rn
r a
n l
a
l o
f
f E
nv
n i
v r
i o
r n
o m
n en
e t
n a
t l
a
l R
es
e e
s a
e r
a c
r h
c
h a
n
a d
n
d T
ec
e h
c n
h o
n l
o o
l g
o y

yea
e rs.
s Th
T is
i
s is
s es
e p
s ec
e i
c a
i ll
l y
l appli
l c
i a
c ble
l
e to India
i wh
w er
e e
3. Fuel
e For
o mu
m lat
a i
t on T
ec
e h
c niqu
q es
e :
bio
i die
i s
e e
s l
e
l is
i
s proposed
e to be
e ma
m de
e fr
f om
m non-edible
One
e of the
e ma
m in
i proble
l ms
m of
f ve
v g
e et
e able
l
e oil
l use
e in
i
oil
i s
l .
s Prese
s n
e tly
l , the
e ava
v ila
l bil
i i
l t
i y of
f thes
e e
s
e oil
i s
s is
s ver
e y
die
i s
e e
s l
l en
e gin
i e
e is
s their
i hig
i h
g er kin
i em
e a
m tic
i vis
i c
s o
c si
s t
i y
li
l m
i i
m t
i ed
e and the
e pric
i e
c
e of
f su
s ch oil
i s
l
s is
i
s hig
i h
g er
e than
bec
e a
c use
s of
f hea
e vi
v er
e trig
i l
g y
l cer
e id
i es
e
s and phosp
s holi
l p
i id
i s,
s
petro-diesel. For successful launch
c of
f bio
i die
i s
e e
s l
l
due to wh
w ic
i h
c proble
l m
e s
m
s occ
c u
c r in
i pump
m in
i g
g an
a d
d
ava
v il
i a
l bil
i i
l t
i y of
f oil
i
l on la
l rge
g
e sc
s a
c le
e has
s to been
e assured
atomization, ring-st
s ic
i k
c in
i g,
g ca
c rbon dep
e osi
s t
i s
s on the
e
at rea
e so
s nable
l
e pric
i e
e and abundance
c
e ava
v il
i a
l bil
i i
l t
i y of
pis
i t
s on, cy
c li
l n
i der
e hea
e d, rin
i g
g gr
g oove
v s,
s et
e c.
c St
S raig
i h
g t
biodiesel feedstocks. Palm
m oil
i and ref
e i
f n
i ed
e so
s ybean
ve
v g
e et
e able
l
e oil
i s
s are
e not su
s it
i able
l
e as
s fu
f el
e s
s fo
f r die
i se
s l
e
oil are the main optio
i ns
s
that are traded
en
e gi
g n
i es
e ;
; si
s n
i ce
c
e they
e have
e to be
e mo
m dif
i i
f ed
e to brin
i g
g
in
i ter
e natio
i nall
l y
l . Th
T e
e co
c st
s s
s fo
f r bio
i die
i s
e e
s l production
their combustion rel
e a
l ted
e proper
e tie
i s
e
s cl
c o
l se
s r
e to
from palm oil, soybean oil and Jatropha oil are
mi
m n
i er
e al
l dies
e el
e .
l Th
T is
i fu
f el
e modif
i i
f c
i a
c tio
i n is
i ma
m in
i ly
l
estimated about Rs
R
s 45
4 .
5 0
0 /l
/ i
l t
i re, Rs
R .
s 44
4 .
4 0/
0 l
/ i
l t
i re
e and Rs
R
s
aim
i e
m d
e at red
e uci
c n
i g
g the vis
i c
s o
c si
s ty in
i order
e to get
e rid
i
39.0 /litre, respectively (Dem
e i
m rbas,
s 20
2 0
0 9
0 )
9 . Industry
of
f fl
f o
l w/
w
/ atomiz
i atio
i n rel
e a
l ted
e proble
l m
e s
m .
s Hea
e tin
i g/
g
so
s urce
c s
s in
i India
i , est
s im
i a
m te
e cu
c rren
e t bio
i dies
e el
e
pyroly
l si
s s
i ,
s dil
i u
l tio
i n/
/ blen
e din
i g,
g mi
m c
i r
c o-emulsification,
fi
f n
i is
i h
s ed
e product
c io
i n co
c st
s s
s at anywh
w er
e e
e bet
e wee
e n Rs
and transesterification are
e so
s me
m
e wel
e l
l
l known
w
32.0 to 45.0 per litre (Joseph, 2006; Singh, 2009).
tec
e h
c niq
i ues
e
s ava
v il
i a
l ble
l to over
e come
m
e hig
i h
g er
e vi
v s
i co
c si
s t
i y

rel
e a
l ted
e is
i su
s es
s ass
s o
s ci
c a
i ted
e wi
w t
i h use
s
e of
f ve
v g
e et
e able
l
e oil
i
Th
T e
e Min
i ist
s ry of
f Pet
e role
l u
e m
m and Natural
l Ga
G s
in
i die
i s
e e
s l
e
l en
e gi
g n
i e
e and to ma
m ke
e them
e
m co
c mp
m atib
i le
l
announce
c d
e the
e bio
i die
i s
e e
s l
e
l purch
c ase
s
e policy in
with the hydrocarbon-based
e die
i s
e e
s l
l fu
f el
e s
l (Agarwal,
Oct
c ober
e 20
2 05
0 .
5 Th
T e Poli
l c
i y
c provi
v d
i ed
e fo
f r the
20
2 0
0 7
0 ;
7
; Ba
B jpai
i and Ty
T agi
g ,
i 20
2 0
0 6; Sharma, 2009).
purch
c ase
s
e of
f bio
i die
i s
e el
e
l at 20
2
0 sp
s ec
e i
c f
i ie
i d
e purch
c ase
s

centres in 12 different states in
i India
i at Rs 25.0
The petro-die
i se
s l
e mo
m lec
e u
c le
l s
s are
e sa
s turated
e and non-
/l
/ i
l t
i re
e (i
( n
i cl
c u
l siv
i e
e of
f taxes
e /
s d
/ uties)
s
) fr
f om
m Ja
J nuary 20
2 0
0 6.
6
branch
c ed
e mo
m le
l c
e u
c le
l s
s wi
w t
i h ca
c rbon atoms
m
s rangi
g n
i g
g
Th
T is
i
s pric
i e
c
e wa
w s
s su
s bjec
e t
c to rev
e iew
e
w eve
v r
e y si
s x
i mo
m nths.
bet
e we
w en
e 12
1 and 19
1
9 wh
w er
e ea
e s,
s Vegetable oils are
Th
T e
e la
l st
s pric
i e
e revi
v s
i io
i n of
f bio
i die
i s
e e
s l
l wa
w s
s done
e in
i
usu
s all
l y
l trig
i l
g y
l ce
c r
e id
i es
e
s gen
e er
e all
l y wi
w t
i h a numb
m er
e of
f
De
D c
e e
c mb
m er
e 20
2 0
0 6,
6 wh
w en
e it
i wa
w s fi
f x
i ed
e at Rs
R 26
2 .
6 50/litre
branch
c ed
e ch
c ain
i s
s of
f dif
i fe
f r
e en
e t le
l n
e gt
g hs
s and are the
(Altenburg et al., 2008). Th
T e
e India
i n go
g ve
v r
e nmen
e t
mixture of
f orga
g nic
i
c co
c mp
m ounds
s rangi
g n
i g
g fr
f om
m
also announced, on 23rd De
D c
e ember 2009,
simple st
s raigh
g t ch
c ain
i co
c mpound to co
c mp
m le
l x
e
attract
c iv
i e
v in
i ce
c n
e tive
v s
s
to en
e co
c urage
g
e
bio
i fu
f el
e s
structure of protei
e n
i s
s and fa
f t-soluble vitamins. The
pla
l ntatio
i n in
i wa
w st
s el
e a
l nds
s and to util
i i
l s
i e
s
e in
i dig
i e
g n
e ous
typical molecular st
s ruct
c ure of
f
ve
v g
e e
g t
e able
l oil
bio-mass feed
e st
s ock
c s fo
f r product
c io
i n of
f bio
i fuels. It
molecule is shown in Fig
i u
g re
e 1, where R1, R2 and R3
addres
e s
s es
e
s the
e iss
s u
s es
e
s acr
c oss
s
s the
e en
e tir
i e
e va
v lu
l e
e chain
rep
e res
e en
e t hydroca
c rbon ch
c ain
i of
f fa
f tty aci
c d
i s.
s The
fr
f om
m pla
l ntatio
i ns,
s and proce
c s
e si
s n
i g
g to ma
m rket
e in
i g
g of
ch
c em
e i
m c
i a
c l
l co
c mp
m osi
s t
i io
i n of
f dif
i f
f eren
e t ve
v g
e et
e able
l
e oil
i s
l
s is
i
biofuels. India's new poli
l c
i y
c on bio
i fu
f el
e s
l targets
presented in Table 1.
blending at least 20 percent biofuel
e s
l
s in
i die
i se
s l
e
l and

petrol by 2017. Th
T is
s im
i p
m lie
i s
s that 13
1 .
3 38
3
8 mi
m l
i l
l i
l o
i n tons


of biodiesel will be required. De
D t
e ail
i
l ec
e o
c nomi
m c
i
analy
l si
s s
i
s of
f ve
v ge
g t
e able
l
e oil
i
l based
e bio
i fu
f el
e s
s in Spain
was done by Dorado et al. (2006). Th
T ey
e id
i en
e tif
i i
f ed
e
that the
e pric
i e
c
e of
f th
t e
e fe
f e
e d
e st
s ock
c wa
w s
s one
e of
f the
e
most si
s g
i n
g ifi
f c
i a
c nt fa
f ct
c ors.
s Also
s , gl
g y
l ce
c r
e ol
l wa
w s
s fo
f und
to be a valuable by-product
c that co
c uld
l red
e uce
c the
fi
f n
i al
l ma
m nufa
f ct
c urin
i g
g co
c st
s s
s of the
e proce
c s
e s
s up to
6.
6 5%
5
% dep
e en
e din
i g
g on the
e raw
w fee
e d
e st
s ock
c use
s d
e . Some
other researchers (Prueksakorn et al.
l , 2010; Hill et
al., 2006; Zhou and Thomson, 20
2 0
0 9
0 ; Ben, 2009;
Govindasamy et al., 2009; Wu et al.
l , 2009; Naoko

et al., 2009; Comporn and Sh
S abbir
i , 2009;

Huanguang et al., 2010; Foidl et al.
l , 1996; Bona et
Figure 1: Mole
l cula
l r St
S ructure
e of
f a Ty
T p
y ic
i al
al., 1999) st
s ated
e the
e possi
s b
i il
i it
i ie
i s
e
s of
f deve
v lo
l pme
m n
e t
Vegetable Oil Molecule
of energy crops and bio
i die
i sel
e
l in
i Europe,
e Mex
e ico
c ,
Japan, Thailand, China, and India.





126
Mathur Y. B. et al.

---

Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology
Table 1: Fatty acid Composition of Some Vegetable Oils



Fatty Acids Composition (%)
Vegetable

Oils

14:0
16:0
18:0
18:1
18:2
18:3
20:0
22:0
22:1
24:0
Jatropha
-
12-17
6.70
37-63
19-41
-
-
-
-
-
Karanja
-
3.7-7.9
2.4-8.9
44.5-71.3
10.8-18.3
-
-
-
-
1.1-3.5
Rapeseed
-
3
1
64
22
8
-
-
-
-
Neem
0.2-0.26
13.6-16.2
14.4-24.1
49.1-61.9
2.3-15.8
-
0.8-3.4
-
-
-
Sunflower
-
9
2
12
78
-

-
-
-
Soyabean
-
6-10
2-5
20-30
50-60
5-11
-
-
-
-
Corn
1-2
8-12
2-5
19-49
34-62
Traces
Traces
-
-
-
Peanut
-
11
2
48
32
1
1
2
-
1
Mahua

16-28.2
20-25.1
41-51
8.9-13.7
-
0-3.3
-
-
-
Rice Bran
0.4-0.6
11.7-16.7
1.7-2.5
39.2-43.7
26.5-35.1
-
0.4-0.6
-
-
0.4-0.9
Palm
1.5
43
5
40
10
-
0.5
-
-
-
Castor
-
-
2-3
3-5
3-5
80-90
-
-
-
-
Olive
-
9-10
2-3
73-84
10-12
Traces
-
-
-
-
Tallow
3-6
24-32
24-31
37-43
2-3
-
-
-

-

3.1 Heating/ Pyrolysis:

Heating/ Pyrolysis is the process in which high
The dilution of Sunflower oil with diesel fuels in
molecular weight compound breaks in to smaller
the ratio of 1:3 by volume has been studied and
compounds by means of heat with or without
engine tests were carried out by Ziejewski et al.
catalyst. Pyrolysis refers to a chemical change
(1983). They concluded that the blend could not
caused by the application of heat energy in the
be recommended for long term use in the direct
absence of air or oxygen. The liquid fractions of
injection diesel engines due to density difference.
the thermally decomposed vegetable oils are likely

to get converted into liquid oils. Many
Pryor et al. (1983) had conducted the short term
investigators have studied the Pyrolysis of
and long term performance tests with blends of
triglycerides to obtain products suitable for diesel
vegetable oil with diesel. In short term
engines (Babu, 2008; Bridgwater, 2003). The
performance test, crude-degummed Soybean oil
Pyrolyzate oils have almost same viscosity, flash
and Soybean ethyl ester were found suitable
point, and pour point compared to diesel fuel with
substitutes for diesel fuel. A longer term
equivalent calorific value. The cetane number of
evaluation of the engine when using 100% crude
the Pyrolyzate oil has been found to be lower. The
soybean oil was prematurely terminated severe
Pyrolyzate oils from vegetable oils contain
injector chock led to decreases in power output
acceptable sulphur content, water and sediment
and thermal efficiency. Parmanik (2003) studied
and give acceptable copper corrosion values but
the properties and use of Jatropha oil and diesel
unacceptable ash and carbon residue. Mechanisms
fuel blends in compression ignition engine. The
for the thermal decomposition of triglycerides are
heating value of the vegetable oil was comparable
likely to be complex because of many structures
with ordinary diesel fuel and cetane number was
and multiplicity of possible reactions of mixed
slightly lower than diesel oil. He also studied the
triglycerides (Manurung et al., 2009).
effect of blending Jatropha oil with diesel fuel in

compression
ignition
engines.
Significant
3.2 Dilution/ Blending:
improvement in engine performance was observed
High viscosity fuels like vegetable oils can be mixed
as compared to pure vegetable oil. The exhaust gas
with low viscosity fuel like diesel to overcome
temperature was reduced due to reduced viscosity
overall viscosity. These blends can then be used as
of the vegetable oil diesel blends. It was found that
diesel engine fuels. Dilution of vegetable oils can
the fuel consumption was increase with a higher
be accomplished with a solvent, methanol or
proportion of the Jatropha oil in the blends.
ethanol. Vegetable oil can be directly mixed with
Acceptable thermal efficiencies of the engine were
diesel and may be used to run diesel engines.
obtained with blends containing up to 50% (by
Blending of vegetable oil with diesel have been
volume) of Jatropha oil.
experimented successfully by many researchers.

127
Mathur Y. B. et al.

---

Uni
n v
i e
v r
e s
r a
s l
a
l J
o
J u
o rn
r a
n l
a
l o
f
f E
nv
n i
v r
i o
r n
o m
n en
e t
n a
t l
a
l R
es
e e
s a
e r
a c
r h
c
h a
n
a d
n
d T
ec
e h
c n
h o
n l
o o
l g
o y
Th
T e
e tes
e t
s s
s we
w r
e e
e co
c nd
n u
d ct
c ed
e by
b Fo
F rso
s n et al.(2004)
product, gl
g y
l ce
c r
e in
i e
e and wa
w ter
e . It has been
on
a
single-cylinder
direct-in
i j
n ec
e t
c io
i n
o
engine
rep
e orted
e that the
e me
m t
e hyl
l and et
e hyl
l es
e t
s er
e s
s of
operated on diesel fuel, Jatropha oil
i lan
a d
n ble
l n
e des
e
s of
f
ve
v g
e et
e able
l
e oil
i
l ca
c n resu
s lt
l in
i su
s per
e io
i r per
e fo
f rma
m nce
diesel and Jat
a ro
r ph
p a oil
i
l in
i pr
p opo
p rt
r io
i ns
s of
f 97
9 .
7 4%
4 /
%
/
than neat vegetable oils. Bio
i die
i s
e el
e
l fu
f els
l
s naturall
l y
l
2.
2 6%
6 ;
%
; 80
8 %
0 /
%
/ 20
2 %
0 ;
%
; and
n 50
5 %
0 /
%
/ 50
5 %
0
% by vo
v lu
l me
m . The
co
c ntain
i oxyge
g n
e , wh
w ic
i h
c mu
m st
s be
e st
s abil
i i
l z
i ed
e to avo
v id
i
test results showed that Jatro
r ph
p a
h oili
l ca
c n
a be
e
storage problems (Jon, 20
2 0
0 5;
5 Patil and Deng,
co
c nve
v n
e ie
i n
e tly
l use
s d
e as
s a die
i s
e e
s l
e
l su
s bst
s i
t t
i u
t te
e in
i a die
i s
e e
s l l
20
2 0
0 9
0 ;
9
; Vi
V v
i ek
e and Gu
G pta, 20
2 0
0 4;
4
; Jha et al., 2007).
en
e gi
g n
i e.
e Th
T e
e tes
e t
s res
e u
s lt
l s
s fu
f rth
t er
e sh
s owe
w d
e in
i cr
c ea
e se
s s
e
s in
n
Th
T e
e transe
s st
s er
e ifi
f c
i a
c tio
i n rea
e ct
c ion is
i
s rep
e res
e en
e ted
e by
brak
a e
e
th
t er
e ma
m l
l
ef
e f
f i
f c
i i
c e
i n
e cy
c ,
,
brak
a e
e
po
p we
w r
e an
a d
n
d
the general equation
reduction of sp
s ec
e i
c f
i i
f c
i
c fu
f el
e
l co
c n
o su
s mp
m t
p io
i n
o fo
f r Jatropha

oil and it blends with diesel.

3.3 Micro-Emulsification:
A micro-emu
m lsi
s o
i n is
i a sy
s st
s em
m co
c nsis
i t
s s
s of a li
l q
i uid
i
dis
i p
s er
e sed
e , wi
w t
i h or wi
w t
i hout an em
e u
m ls
l i
s fi
f e
i r
e , in
i an
im
i m
m i
m sc
s i
c b
i le
e li
l q
i uid
i , usu
s all
l y
l in
i drople
l t
e s
s sma
m ll
l er
e then
e

colloidal size. Micro-em
e u
m lsi
s o
i ns
s are
e is
i o
s tropic
i ,
c cl
c ea
e r,

or
transluce
c n
e t
ther
e mo
m dynami
m c
i a
c ll
l y
l
st
s able
l
e

dis
i p
s er
e sio
i ns
s of
f oil
i ,
l wa
w ter
e , su
s rfa
f ct
c ant, and oft
f en
e a
a
The base catalysed productio
i n of
f bio
i die
i se
s l,
l
sm
s a
m ll
l amp
m hip
i hil
i i
l c
i
c mo
m le
l c
e u
c le,
e ca
c ll
l e
l d
e co
c -surfactant.
ge
g nerall
l y
l
y occur usi
s n
i g
g the fo
f ll
l owin
i g
g st
s eps:
s
The droplet diameters in micro-emu
m ls
l i
s o
i ns
s range

from 100 to 1000 A. A micro-emu
m ls
l i
s o
i n ca
c n be
ma
m de
e of
f veg
e e
g t
e able
l oil
i s
l wi
w t
i h an ester and
dispersant (co-so
s lv
l en
e t),
) or of
f ve
v g
e et
e able
l
e oil
i s
s wit
i h an
alc
l o
c hol
l and a su
s rfa
f ct
c ant and a ce
c t
e ane
e imp
m rover
e ,
wi
w t
i h or wi
w t
i hout die
i s
e el
e
l fu
f els
l .
s Mic
i r
c o-emulsions,
bec
e a
c use
s
e of
f their
i alc
l o
c hol
l co
c nten
e t have
v
e lo
l wer
e

vo
v lu
l met
e ric
i
c hea
e tin
i g va
v lu
l es
s than die
i s
e e
s l
l fu
f els
l ,
s but the

alc
l o
c hols
l
s have
e hig
i h
g la
l ten
e t hea
e t of
f va
v poriz
i atio
i n and

ten
e d to co
c ol
l the co
c mb
m ust
s ion ch
c amb
m er
e , wh
w ic
i h
c

wo
w uld
l red
e uce
c
e nozzle
l
e ch
c okin
i g.
g A mi
m c
i r
c o-emulsion of
me
m t
e hanol
l wit
i h veg
e e
g t
e able
e oil
i s
s ca
c n perfo
f rm
m nea
e rly
l
as
s we
w l
e l
l as die
i se
s l
e fu
f el
e s.
s Zie
i jew
e sk
s i
i et al. (1984)
showed that the en
e gi
g n
i e
e per
e forma
m nce
c
e we
w r
e e
e sa
s me
for a micro-emu
m lsi
s o
i n of
f 10
1 0
0 %
% su
s nfl
f o
l we
w r oil
i
l and
d
the
e 25
2
5 %
% ble
l n
e d of
f su
s nfl
f o
l we
w r oil
i
l in
i die
i s
e e
s l
e .
l



3.4 Transesterification Process:

The major problems asso
s ci
c a
i ted
e wi
w t
i h the st
s raigh
g t

ve
v g
e et
e able
l
e oil
i
l oper
e atio
i n in
i die
i se
s l
e
l en
e gi
g n
i es
s are
e due
to thei
e r
i hig
i h
g fu
f el
e
l vi
v sc
s o
c si
s t
i y and poor vo
v la
l til
i i
l t
i y.
Tr
T anse
s st
s er
e if
i i
f c
i a
c tio
i n of
f veg
e et
e able
l
e oil
i s
l
s provi
v d
i es
s a
si
s g
i n
g if
i i
f ca
c nt
red
e uct
c io
i n
in
i vi
v s
i co
c si
s t
i y,
ther
e eb
e y
en
e hanci
c n
i g
g the
e physi
s c
i a
c l
l and ch
c em
e i
m c
i a
c l
l proper
e ties
e
of
f
ve
v ge
g t
e able
l
e
oil
l
to im
i p
m rove
v
e
the
e
en
e gi
g n
i e


performance (Tapanes et al., 20
2 0
0 8
0 )
8 . Methyl and
Th
T e
e fi
f r
i st
s st
s ep
e is
s the co
c nve
v r
e si
s on of
f trig
i l
g y
l cer
e id
i es
s to
et
e hyl
l es
e t
s er
e s
s of
f veg
e e
g t
e able
l
e oil
i s
s (c
( a
c ll
l e
l d
e as
s bio
i die
i se
s l
e )
dig
i l
g y
l ce
c r
e id
i es,
s fo
f ll
l o
l we
w d
e by the
e
co
c nve
v r
e si
s o
i n of
rev
e ea
e le
l d
e fu
f el
e
l proper
e tie
i s
s si
s mil
i a
l r to die
i s
e e
s l
e .
l The
dig
i l
g y
l ce
c r
e id
i es
s to mo
m nogl
g y
l ce
c r
e id
i es
e
s and of
f diglycerides
transe
s s
e t
s er
e if
i i
f ca
c tio
i n proce
c s
e s in
i vo
v lv
l e
v s
s
rea
e ct
c in
i g
to gl
g y
l ce
c r
e ol,
l yie
i l
e d
l in
i g
g one
e met
e hyl
l es
e t
s er
e mo
m le
l cu
c le
l
triglycerides, present in veg
e e
g t
e able
l oil
i s
s wi
w t
i h
fr
f om
m
ea
e ch
c
gl
g y
l cer
e id
i e
at
ea
e ch
c
st
s ep
e .
alc
l o
c hols
l
s su
s ch
c as
s me
m t
e hanol or et
e hanol
l in
i the
e
pres
e e
s n
e ce
e of
f a ca
c taly
l st
s (u
( su
s all
l y
l so
s diu
i m
m hydroxid
i e)
e
)
at about 70
7
0 C

C to gi
g v
i e
e the es
e t
s er
e and the
e by


128
Mathur Y. B. et al.

---

Uni
n v
i e
v r
e s
r a
s l
a
l J
o
J u
o rn
r a
n l
a
l o
f
f E
nv
n i
v r
i o
r n
o m
n en
e t
n a
t l
a
l R
es
e e
s a
e r
a c
r h
c
h a
n
a d
n
d T
ec
e h
c n
h o
n l
o o
l g
o y



Figure 2: Tr
T anse
s st
s erif
i i
f c
i atio
i n Pr
P ocess
s
s fo
f r Bio
i die
i se
s l
l Pr
P oducti
t o
i n




Meher et al. (2006) st
s udie
i d
e the
e eff
f e
f ct
c s of
f ca
c taly
l st
s
Th
T e
e fr
f ee
e fa
f tty aci
c d
i and mo
m is
i t
s ure
e co
c nten
e t in
i the
e
co
c nce
c n
e tratio
i n,
alc
l o
c hol/
l o
/ il
i
l
mo
m la
l r
ratio
i ,
st
s artin
i g
g ma
m ter
e ia
i l
l are
e the
e key
e parame
m t
e er
e s
s fo
f r
tem
e p
m er
e ature,
e
and
rate
e
of
f
mi
m xing
on
det
e er
e mi
m n
i in
i g the
e vi
v a
i bil
i i
l t
i y of
f the
e ve
v ge
g t
e able
l oil
i
transesterification of Karanja oil
i
l wi
w t
i h me
m t
e hanol.
l
transe
s s
e t
s er
e if
i i
f ca
c tio
i n proce
c ss
s .
s Acco
c rdin
i g
g to Fr
F ee
e d
e ma
m n
Th
T ey
e fo
f und that the optim
i u
m m
m rea
e ct
c io
i n conditions
et al. (1984) the fr
f ee
e
e fa
f tty aci
c d quantity should be
for methanolysis of Karanja oil
i
l wa
w s
s 1%
% KO
K H as
lower than 1%
% to ca
c rry out the
e alk
l ali
l
i catalysed
cataly
l st
s , MeO
e H/o
/ il
l mo
m la
l r ratio
i 6:
6 1
: ,
1 rea
e ct
c io
i n
rea
e ct
c io
i n. In thei
e r
i st
s udy, they
e ha
h ve
v
e obser
e ved
e that if
tem
e p
m er
e ature 65
6
5 C
C and rate of
f mi
m xin
i g
g wa
w s
s 360
6
the
e aci
c d
i va
v lu
l e
e wa
w s
s gr
g ea
e ter
e than 1,
1 mo
m re
e NaOH wa
w s
rpm for a period of three hrs. Th
T e
e yiel
e d
l of
f me
m t
e hyl
req
e uir
i ed
e to neu
e trali
l z
i e
e the
e fr
f ee
e
e fa
f tty aci
c d
i s.
s Water
e
es
e t
s er
e s
s wa
w s
s fo
f und to be
e hig
i h
g er than 85
8 %
5
% in
i fifteen
als
l o
s ca
c used
e so
s ap fo
f rma
m tio
i n, wh
w ic
i h
c co
c nsu
s med
e the
mi
m n
i utes
e
s and rea
e ct
c io
i n wa
w s
s almo
m st
s co
c mp
m le
l t
e e
e in
i two
w
ca
c taly
l st
s and red
e uce
c d
e ca
c taly
l st
s ef
e fi
f c
i i
c en
e cy
c . Th
T e
hours with a yield of 97
9
7 %.
% With 12
1 :
2 1
:
1 mo
m la
l r ratio
i of
res
e u
s lt
l in
i g
g so
s aps
s ca
c use
s d
e an incr
c ea
e se
e in
i vi
v s
i c
s o
c si
s t
i y,
NaOH/o
/ il
i
l or hig
i h
g er, the
e rea
e ct
c io
i n wa
w s
s co
c mp
m le
l t
e ed
e
formation of gels and res
e u
s lt
l ed in
i to the separation
within one hr. Th
T e
e rea
e ct
c io
i n was
s in
i co
c mp
m let
e e
e wi
w t
i h a
of glycerol quite difficult. Ma et al. (1999) studied
lo
l w
w rate
e of
f st
s ir
i rin
i g
g (18
1 0
8
0 rpm)
m .
) Fu
F rther
e in
i an
the effects of
f fr
f ee
e fa
f tty aci
c d
i s
s and wa
w ter
e co
c nten
e t in
i
optimization study, Meher et al. (2
( 0
2 0
0 6
0 )
6 found that
transe
s s
e t
s er
e if
i i
f ca
c tio
i n of
f beef
e tallo
l w.
w Th
T e
e prese
s n
e ce
e of
the yield of methyl ester from Karanja oil
i under
e
wa
w ter
e
had
mo
m re
e
neg
e ativ
i e
v
e
ef
e fe
f c
e t
c
on
the optimal condition was 97-98
9 %
8 .
%
transe
s s
e t
s er
e if
i i
f ca
c tio
i n than fr
f ee
e fa
f tty aci
c d
i s.
s Th
T ey
e

co
c ncl
c u
l ded
e that fo
f r best
s resu
s lts,
s the
e wa
w ter
e co
c nten
e t
Rathore and Madran (2008) studie
i d
e the
e kin
i et
e ic
i s
c of
and fr
f ee
e
e fa
f tty aci
c d
i s
s co
c nten
e t in beef tallow should
transe
s s
e t
s er
e if
i i
f ca
c tio
i n of
f Ka
K ranja oil
i
l in
i to it
i s
s alk
l yl
l est
s er
e s
be
e kep
e t bel
e o
l w
w 0.
0 06
0
6 %
% w/
w w
w and 0.
0 5
5 %
% w/
w w
in
i su
s per
e cr
c it
i ic
i a
c l
l me
m t
e hanol
l and et
e hanol
l wi
w t
i hout
t
respectively.
usi
s n
i g
g any ca
c taly
l st
s . Th
T e
e eff
f ec
e t of
f mo
m la
l r ratio and

rea
e ct
c io
i n tem
e p
m er
e ature
e on alk
l yl
l es
e t
s er
e s
s fo
f rma
m tio
i n
Zullaikah et al. (2005) had su
s ccessfully made
was investigated. A micro-emu
m ls
l i
s o
i n of
f me
m t
e hanol
biodiesel from Rice Bran oil
i wi
w t
i h hig
i h
g fr
f ee
e fa
f tty
wi
w t
i h veg
e e
g t
e able
e oil
i s
s ca
c n per
e fo
f rm
m nea
e rly
l as
s we
w l
e l
l as
aci
c d
i s
s
co
c nten
e t.
A
two
w -step
acid-catalyzed
diesel fuels. Darnoko and Cheryan (2
( 0
2 0
0 0
0 )
0 reported
me
m t
e hanoly
l si
s s
s proce
c ss
s
s wa
w s em
e p
m lo
l yed
e fo
f r the
ex
e per
e ime
m n
e tal
l data on Palm
l
m oil
i
l kin
i et
e ic
i s
c .
s It wa
w s
efficient conversion of Ri
R c
i e
c Bran oil into fatty acid
observed that the rate of alkali-ca
c taly
l zed
e (K
( O
K H)
)
methyl esters. Hawash et al.
l (2009) studied the
transe
s s
e t
s er
e if
i i
f ca
c tio
i n in
i a batch
c rea
e ct
c or in
i cr
c ea
e sed
e
transe
s s
e t
s er
e if
i i
f ca
c tio
i n
of
f
Jatropha
oil
using
wi
w t
i h tem
e p
m er
e ature
e up to 60
6
0 C
. Fu
F rther
e in
i cr
c ea
e se
s
e in
i
su
s per
e cr
c it
i ic
i a
c l
l me
m t
e hanol
l in
i the
e abse
s n
e ce
c
e of
f ca
c taly
l st
s
tem
e p
m er
e atures
s did
i not red
e uce
c
e the
e tim
i e
m
e to rea
e ch
c the
under
e
dif
i f
f e
f ren
e t
temp
m erature
e
co
c ndit
i io
i ns.
s
maximum conversion.
Ramadhas et al. (2004) rep
e orted
e the
e use
s
e of
f aci
c d
i

ca
c taly
l st
s fo
f ll
l o
l wed
e by alk
l ali
l
i ca
c taly
l st
s in
i a si
s n
i gl
g e
l
e

process using Rubber
e see
e d
e oil
l wi
w t
i h hig
i h
g fr
f ee
e
e fa
f tty
129
Mathur Y. B. et al.

---

Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology
acids content. The objective of this study was to
biodiesel production by lipase catalyst. The time
develop a process for producing biodiesel from a
taken to get the 67 % yield of biodiesel was 72
low-cost feedstock like crude Rubber seed oil. Iso
hours at room temperature. However, the energy
et al. (2001) have studied the transesterification by
input was zero. The reaction time and the cost of
immobilized lipase in non- aqueous conditions.
lipase were hurdles to commercialize lipase
Noureddini et al. (2005) have investigated the
processes.

Table 2: Fuel Related Properties of Biodiesel Produced From Different Vegetable Oils

Biodiesel
Kinematic
Density
Heating
Cloud
Pour
Flash
Cetane
Carbon
viscosity
(kg/m3)
Value
point
point
point
Number
Residue
(cSt, 40C)
(MJ/kg)
(C)
(C)
(C)
(w/w)
Jatropha
5.65
879
38.5
13
-
175
50
-
Karanja
6.87
897
37.9
-
-1
187
49
0.05
Rapeseed
7.2
883
37.37
-
-12
-
51
-
Neem
15
882
38.5
-
-
180
47
-
Sunflower
4.6
868
40.58
1
-
183
45-52
-
Soyabean
4.5
872
39.76
1
-7
178
37-45
1.7
Coconut
3.36
866
36.1
-
-4
122
56
0.03
Peanut
4.9
883
-
5
-
176
54
-
Palm
5.7
880
-
13
-
164
62
-
Babassu
3.6
879
-
4
-
127
63
-
Thumba
3.83-5.86
883
39.37
.5
-
142
53
-
Tallow
-
-
-
12
9
96
--
-

4. Properties of Biodiesel:
5.0 Conclusions:
Biodiesel is a better fuel than diesel fuel in terms
Many energy fuels are being recently investigated
of sulphur content, flash point, and aromatic
as potential substitutes for the current high-
content. The fuel characteristics of biodiesel are
pollutant diesel fuel derived from diminishing
close to diesel fuels, and therefore biodiesel
commercial sources. In the past 15 years, biodiesel
becomes a strong alternative to replace the diesel
has progressed from the research stage to a full-
fuels (Demirbas, 2009). The conversion of
production scale in many developed countries.
triglycerides into methyl or ethyl esters through
Vegetable oil either from seasonal plant crops or
the
transesterifcation
process
reduces
the
from perennial forest trees origin, after being
molecular weight to one-third that of the
formulated, have been found suitable for
triglyceride reduces the viscosity by a factor of
utilization in diesel engines. Many traditional seed
about eight and increases the volatility marginally.
oils like Pongamia Glabra, Jatropha (Jatropha
Biodiesel has viscosity close to diesel fuels. These
Curcas), Mallous Philippines, Garcinia Indica,
esters contain 10 to 11% oxygen by weight, which
Thumba, Karanja and Madhuca Indica etc. are
may improve combustion as compared to
available in the country, which can be exploited for
hydrocarbon based diesel fuels in an engine (Ejaz
biodiesel production purposes. Although biodiesel
and Younis, 2008). The cetane number of
offers several advantages, including technical,
biodiesel is around 50 which are higher than
environmental, and socio-economic, it has some
diesel. The use of tertiary fatty amines and amides
disadvantages. Major disadvantages of biodiesel
can be effective in enhancing the ignition quality
are higher viscosity, lower energy content, higher
of the diesel fuel without having any negative
cloud point and pour point, marginal increase in
effect on its cold flow properties. Since the
nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions, lower engine
volatility
increases
marginally,
the
starting
speed and power, engine oil degradation, injector
problem persists in cold conditions. Biodiesel has
coking, engine compatibility, high price of
lower volumetric heating values (about 12%) than
biodiesel and higher engine wear. Important
diesel fuels but has a high cetane number and
operating
disadvantages
of
biodiesel
in
flash point (Sylvain et al., 2009; Achten et al.,
comparison with petro-diesel are cold start
2008; Houfang et al., 2009) Some of the desirable
problems, the lower energy content, higher copper
fuel properties of biodiesel derived from different
strip corrosion and fuel pumping difficulty. Some
vegetable oils are presented in Table 2.5.
of the salient conclusions are drawn on the basis

of available literature for economics of bio-diesel,
130
Mathur Y. B. et al.

---

Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology
its formulation techniques and combustion related
5. Arjun, B., Chhetri, Martin S., Tango, Suzanne
properties:
M., Budge, K, Chris, Watts and Rafiqul, Islam
1. The costs for biodiesel production from palm oil,
M. (2008): Non-Edible Plant Oils as New
soybean oil and Jatropha oil are estimated about
Sources for Biodiesel Production. Int. J.
Rs 45.0 /litre, Rs. 44.0/litre and Rs 39.0 /litre,
Molecular Sci., 9:169-180.
respectively.
6. Augustus, G. D. P. S., Jayabalan, M. and Seiler,
2. The major economic factor to consider for input
G. J. (2003): Alternative Energy Sources from
costs of biodiesel production is the feedstock
Plants of Western Ghats (Tamil Nadu, India). J.
(price of seed, seed collection and oil extraction,
Biomass and Bioenergy, 24: 437-444.
transport of seed and oil), which is about 75-
7. Babu, B. V. (2008): Biomass Pyrolysis: a State-
80% of the total operating cost.
of-the-Art Review. J. Biofuels and Bioproducts,
3. Other important cost related factors are labor,
2:393-414.
methanol and catalyst for biodiesel conversion
8. Baiju, B., Naik, M. K. and Das, L. M. (2009): A
for straight vegetable oil, which must be added
Comparative
Evaluation
of
Compression
to the feedstock. Cost recovery will be through
Ignition Engine Characteristics Using Methyl
sale of oil, cake and of glycerol.
and Ethyl Esters of Karanja Oil. J. Ren. Energy,
4. Mechanisms for the thermal decomposition
34; 1616-1621.
(Pyrolysis) of for biodiesel production are likely
9. Bajpai, D. and Tyagi, V. K. (2006): Bio diesel:
to be complex because of many structures and
Source, Production, Composition, Properties
multiplicity of possible reactions of mixed
and its Benefits. J. Oleo Sci., 55: 437-502.
triglycerides.
10. Banapurmath, N. R., Tiwari, P. G. and
5. Direct blending of vegetable oil with diesel could
Hosmath, R. S. (2008): Performance and
not be recommended for long term use in the
Emission Characteristics of a DI Compression
direct injection diesel engines due to density
Ignition Engine Operated on Honge, Jatropha
difference.
and Sesame Oil Methyl Esters. J. Ren. Energy,
6. A micro-emulsion of methanol with vegetable
33:1982-1988.
oils can perform nearly as well as diesel fuels.
11. Barnwal, B. K. and Sharma, M. P. (2005):
7. Transesterification of vegetable oils provides a
Prospects of Biodiesel Production from
significant reduction in viscosity, thereby
Vegetable Oils in India. J. Ren. and Sust.
enhancing the physical and chemical properties
Energy Rev., 9: 363-378.
of vegetable oil to improve the engine
12. Beepanraj, B. and Lawrence, P. (2011):
performance.
Performance and Emission Characteristics of a
8. The fuel properties of biodiesel are close to
Diesel Engine Fuelled With Palm Oil Methyel
diesel fuels, and therefore biodiesel becomes a
Ester and Its Blends. J. Tech. Word, III:197-203
strong alternative to replace the diesel fuel.
13. Ben,
Phalan
(2009):
The
Social
and

Environmental Impacts of Biofuels in Asia: An
References:
Ove