Biodiesel production and characterisation from Punnai oil using egg shell catalyst: engine performance and emission studies

Abstract

Internal combustion (IC) engine vehicles greatly contribute in polluting the environment. Choice of catalyst is on their higher kinetic reaction rates. Heterogeneous calcined egg shell catalyst gives advantage of less energy consumption and less water production over the conventional enzymes and acid based catalyst. The most important factors affecting the yield of biodiesel are the molar ratio of alcohol to raw vegetable oil and the reaction temperature. Methanol is commonly used alcohol in this process. This paper presents the production of biodiesel from Calophyllum inophyllum oil (Punnai oil or Tamanu oil) by trans-esterification process using calcined egg shell as a catalyst, characterisation of biodiesel and engine testing for the performance and exhaust emissions. The calcined egg shell catalyst was prepared and characterised. The various blends of biodiesel were prepared with diesel and optimal proportion of blend is decided for better engine performance and less exhaust emissions.