Abstract
Transesterification of vegetable oils is an important reaction that produces fatty acid alkyl esters, methyl and ethyl esters which are excellent substitutes for diesel fuel. Biodiesel prepared by catalyzed mild transesterification has become of much current interest for alternative fuel production. In the present study the ability of a commercial immobilized Pseudomonas fluorescens MTCC 103 to catalyze the transesterification of Jatropha oil and methanol was investigated. The cell of P. fluorescens was easily immobilized within the sodium alginate during batch process. The important parameters like reaction temperature, pH, oil/methanol molar ratio, amount of beads and reaction time was studied. From the study it was found that maximum yield of biodiesel was obtained at the optimum conditions of at 40oC, pH of 7.0, molar ratio of 1:4, amount of beads of 3 g and reaction time of 48 h. The physical properties of the products were analyzed and the results were compared with conventional petroleum based diesel and it was found that the product can be used as an effective alternate fuel in existing diesel engine without any hardware engine modifications.
Highlights
For more than two centuries, the world’s energy supply has relied heavily on non-renewable crude oil derived liquid fuels
The effect of temperature on biodiesel production from Jatropha oil using immobilized cells of P. fluorescens was studied by conducting experiments at different temperatures 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50oC keeping initial immobilized cell concentration of 3 g of beads, substrate concentration of 50 ml of oil (1:3 molar ratio of oil to methanol) with n-hexane (3 ml), reaction time of 48 h and pH of 7.0 were fixed constant
The optimum temperature for the maximum yield of biodiesel was fixed as 40°C
Summary
For more than two centuries, the world’s energy supply has relied heavily on non-renewable crude oil derived (fossil) liquid fuels. Increased environmental concerns, tougher clean air act standards necessitates the search for a viable alternative fuels, which are environment friendly. Oil seed crops such as palm soyabean, sunflower, peanut, olive, etc., are by far the largest group of exploitable renewable biomass resource for liquid fuel and energy generation (An-Fei and Kerby, 2002). Vegetable oils can be used in diesel engines as they have a high octane number and calorific value very close to diesel
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
