Process Standardization Characterization and Experimental Investigation on the Performance of Biodiesel Fuelled C I Engine

Abstract

Biodiesel, an alternative fuel is derived from the fats of animals and plants. As energy demands increase and fossil fuels are limited, research is directed towards alternative renewable fuels. The main advantages of using this alternative fuel are its renewability, biodegradability and better quality of exhaust gases. It is technically competitive and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional petrodiesel fuel for use in CI engines. The use of biodiesel reduces the dependence on imported fossil fuels which continue to decrease in availability and affordability. Vegetable oils for biodiesel production vary considerably with location according to climate and feedstock availability. Generally the most abundant vegetable oil in a particular region is the most common feedstock. Nowadays, most of the commercial biodiesel comes from the transesterification of vegetable oil using a basic catalyst such as NaOH or KOH, because a basic catalyst faster than an acid catalyst. The fuel of bio-origin may be the biodiesel obtained from edible or non-edible vegetable oil through transesterification process. Most of the properties of biodiesel compare favourably with the characteristics required for the CI fuel. Due to the relatively high costs of edible oils, the cost of producing methyl or ethyl esters from edible oils is currently more expensive than hydrocarbon based diesel fuels. The cost of biodiesel can be reduced if we can consider non-edible oils instead of edible oils. Non-edible oils from plants hemp and neem are easily available in many parts of the world and are less expensive as compared to edible oils. Furthermore, the use of non-edible vegetable oils is of significance because of great need for edible oil as food and they are too expensive to be used as fuels. The experimental work presented in this thesis is mainly divided into three main parts.