Characteristics analysis of julifora biodiesel derived from different production methods

Abstract

The objective of the present work is to compare the biodiesel derived from different methods from a single feed stock and analyse the fuel properties and suitability of an alternative to diesel using locally available vegetable oils. Feedstocks such as animal fats and vegetable oils play a vital role in biodiesel production. The demand for biodiesel production from non-edible oil is growing steadily as there are restrictions on the conversion of edible oils into fuels. Hence, researchers are looking for promising newer sources of non-edible oil which can sustain biodiesel production and use. These attributes have contributed to growing interest on biodiesel production from Prosopis juliflora. This study focuses on a promising newer source of non-edible oil which can sustain biodiesel growth. Prosopis juliflora appears to be an attractive alternate biodiesel feedstock in the near future. Yields more oil per hectare (The average oil yield: 5000 L/ha) compared to other plants. There is no competition for the cultivatable land, as these plants grow on seashores. The fuel properties such as oxidation stability, viscosity, acid value, peroxide value, and thermal stability have been found out for methyl ester of julifora, ethyl ester of julifora and julifora pyrolysis oil as per ASTM standards. The julifora oilis having higher viscosity, density, flash point and lower calorific value. The julifora seed oil is changed into methyl and ethyl ester by using transesterification process with KOH as a catalyst and methanol and ethanol as a solvent. The effect of biodiesel extraction process variables such as oil to methanol ratio, catalyst concentration and reaction time for both the stages are also examined. Methanol or ethanol content are found to be the major influencing process parameter along with the quantity of catalyst addition and reaction time. The methanolysis transesterification showed optimum molar ratio of 3:1 and catalyst concentration of 0.5 wt% at 65 for 90 min with a yield of 93.5%. The ethanolysis transesterification showed maximum yield for ethyl ester of julifora oil is about 87.5% when the oil to ethanol ratio at 3.62 v/v, KOH ratio at 1.35 w/v and at the reaction time of 120 min. The pyrolysis ofjulifora seed is carried out in a semi-batch reactor and 49% bio-oil yield is obtained at 525 °C and 20/min heating rate. Comparison of three biodiesel are made for all the fuel properties and it is found that JOME is the best among three The GC–MS study showed that higher ester content present in the julifora oil and the properties are within the ASTM standards when compared to that of diesel, which makes to use as a fuel in diesel engine.