Biodiesel Application Research Articles

Optimization of Noise Emission Level in Diesel Engine with Biodiesel Application Using Response Surface Methodology

This study used biodiesel to run a single-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine. The palm oil methyl ester is blended in different ratios of up to 20% and tested with different engine speeds and loads for noise level measurement. Mathematical modeling was then developed to correlate responses obtained by the noise levels of the engine components to the factors, including engine speed, engine load, and biodiesel blending percentage. Finally, using the developed models, all the numeric factors were optimized. Modeling results indicated that the significance of factors could vary for the engine components, whereas in this study, the intake phase-related factors showed the significance of all factors. Meanwhile, the optimization results highlighted that the best solution with the highest desirability number to satisfy all the responses was the B20 fuel blend (20% biodiesel fuel and 80% diesel fuel blend by volume) with 1200 rpm of engine speed. In conclusion, the study's outcomes revealed that optimization should be considered in developing a new policy for using biofuel in internal combustion engines.

Basicity-tuned graphitic carbon nitride supported MgO heterogeneous catalysts for efficient transesterification of groundnut oil to biodiesel

Quality and quantity of biodiesel derived from oil depend on the type of feedstock and the transesterification process. To maximize biodiesel production efficiency and ensure the desired fuel quality, it is crucial to develop and optimize feedstock-specific production processes. This study reports on the transesterification of groundnut oil using a heterogeneous catalyst. Magnesium oxide (MgO) and its composites with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) at 10, 30, and 50 wt% (MG10, MG30, MG50) were used. The composite catalyst combines basic sites from MgO and Lewis acid sites from the nitrogen atoms in the g-C3N4 triazine unit, giving rise to synergistic effects that enhances biodiesel production. MgO nanoparticles were synthesized via precipitation, followed by calcination at 500 °C, and MgO/g-C3N4 composites were prepared by grinding at different ratios. Morphological and structural studies confirmed material characteristics. BET analysis indicated an increased surface area of 71.39 m2/g, enhancing catalytic activity, while SEM revealed the agglomerated g-C3N4 and the cubic morphology of MgO. Response surface methodology was used to optimize catalyst loading, temperature, and reaction time parameters. The optimal conditions for biodiesel conversion using MG50 composite was determined to be methanol/oil ratio of 6:1, 2.5 wt% catalyst loading, 41.7 °C reaction temperature and spanning 52 min of reaction, yielding 94 % efficiency. GC–MS analysis confirmed successful transesterification, identifying key fatty acid esters such as ethyl oleate (34.72 %) and hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (7.69 %). This work supports further research into feedstock-specific catalysts for industrial biodiesel applications.

Tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption of a heavy-duty diesel vehicle using palm oil biodiesel blended fuels

Biodiesel application, such as using waste cooking oil biodiesel in Shanghai, China, is a sustainable solution that addresses the challenges posed by escalating air pollution, energy security, and climate change. Future efforts may involve blending biodiesel from alternative sources like crude palm oil with diesel in China. This study tested a China V heavy-duty diesel vehicle equipped with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system using various palm oil biodiesel blended fuels (i.e., B0, B5, B10, and B20). The findings indicated that using biodiesel blends led to reductions in carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and particle number (PN) emissions compared to B0, while nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions remained similar. Higher biodiesel content significantly reduced petroleum diesel consumption, but no statistically significant differences were found in total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and fuel consumption. Various factors such as vehicle speed, payload, and cold starts influence tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption. Specifically, high-speed phases notably reduced CO, HC, and PN emissions with the use of biodiesel blends. Lower payloads were linked to decreased CO2 emissions and fuel consumption but increased NOX emissions. Cold starts increased HC and NOX emissions, especially with higher biodiesel blending ratios. These results can provide valuable empirical insights into palm oil biodiesel emissions.

Selective Electrooxidation of Crude Glycerol to Lactic Acid Coupled With Hydrogen Production at Industrially-Relevant Current Density.

Transforming glycerol (GLY, biodiesel by-product) into lactic acid (LA, biodegradable polymer monomer) through sustainable electrocatalysis presents an effective strategy to reduce biodiesel production costs and consequently enhance its applications. However, current research faces a trade-off between achieving industrially-relevant current density (>300mA cm-2) and high LA selectivity (>80%), limiting technological advancement. Herein, a Au3Ag1 alloy electrocatalyst is developed that demonstrates exceptional LA selectivity (85%) under high current density (>400mA cm-2). The current density can further reach 1022mA cm-2 at 1.2V versus RHE, superior to most previous reports for GLY electrooxidation. It is revealed that the Au3Ag1 alloy can enhance GLY adsorption and reactive oxygen species (OH*) generation, thereby significantly boosting activity. As a proof of concept, a homemade flow electrolyzer is constructed, achieving remarkable LA productivity of 68.9mmolh-1 at the anode, coupled with efficient H2 production of 3.5 Lh-1 at the cathode. To further unveil the practical possibilities of this technology, crude GLY extracted from peanut oil into LA is successfully transformed, while simultaneously producing H2 at the cathode. This work showcases a sustainable method for converting biodiesel waste into high-value products and hydrogen fuel, promoting the broader application of biodiesel.

Natural variation in GhKASI_A05 modulates cottonseed oil content in Gossypium hirsutum L

Cotton is of great economic value because of its fiber that is used in natural textile commodities and its seeds that contain an edible oil with a high content of unsaturated fatty acids and biodiesel applications. Here, we reported that GhKASI_A05 was associated with the cottonseed oil content (SOC) in a natural population via candidate gene association analysis. An 11-bp Indel located in the GhKASI_A05 promoter was found to contribute to SOC and differential expression in upland cotton inbred accessions. Interaction analysis showed that GhWRI1, an AP2/EREBP family transcription factor, that reportedly functions in plant seed oil and fatty acids (FAs) accumulation, directly bound to AW-box cis-elements in two haplotypes of the GhKASI_A05 promoter and activated the expression of GhKASI_A05 at different levels. The seed-specific overexpression of GhKASI_A05 resulted in increased seed size, weight, and protein content, and C16:0 and C18:1 contents but reduced SOC. Our results provide new insights into the biological function of GhKASI in SOC and effective strategies for cotton breeding in the future.

A Review of Biodiesel Cold Flow Properties and Its Improvement Methods: Towards Sustainable Biodiesel Application

Significant concerns over energy security and environmental impact reduction will drive all stakeholders to generate proper alternative energies. Biodiesel is a prospective cleaner-burning biofuel that can contribute on addressing these concerns globally. Presently, pure biodiesel (B100) application is still facing several obstacles, principally in terms of its cold flow properties. Improvement in cold flow behavior parameters is the solution to promoting biodiesel implementation at a higher percentage and wider environmental temperature range. This study provides a detailed review of several improvement methods, both physical, chemical, and biological, from various scientific sources, to elevate the cold fluidity characteristics of biodiesel. The investigated methods convincingly offer proper enhancement in the cold flow properties of biodiesel. Mostly, this improvement is accompanied by an alleviation in oxidation stability, cetane number, and/or viscosity. However, the skeletal isomerization method presents promising cold fluidity refinement with minimal reduction in other physical properties. Therefore, the continuous development of these methods promises global sustainable application of high-quality biodiesel.

Retraction Note to: An alternative high-throughput staining method for detection of neutral lipids in green microalgae for biodiesel applications

Retraction Note to: An alternative high-throughput staining method for detection of neutral lipids in green microalgae for biodiesel applications

Microbial Fabrication of Quantum Dots: Mechanism and Applications.

More recently, the application of semiconductor nanomaterials called quantum dots (QDs), has gained considerable attention as they possess tunable optoelectronic and physicochemical properties. There are several routes of QDs synthesis some of which include lithography, molecular beam epitaxy, and chemical reduction. However, most of these methods are expensive, labour intensive, and produce toxic by-products. Hence, the biosynthesis of QDs has been extensively researched for addressing the issues. This review elaborates on the biogenic synthesis of cadmium selenide, cadmium telluride, cadmium sulfide, lead sulfide, and zinc sulfide QDs using bacteria, and fungi. Further, we attempt to identify the underlying mechanism and critical parameters that can control the synthesis of QDs. Eventually, their application in detectors, photovoltaics, biodiesel, photocatalysis, infection-control, and bioimaging are discussed. Thus, biogenic QDs have a tremendous scope in future to emerge as next generation nanotheranostics although thorough pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic studies are required.

Production of Ganodiesel from the biomass of Ganoderma lucidum in air-L-shaped bioreactor (ALSB)

The increasing need for alternative and sustainable energy sources, prompted by the depletion of fossil fuels and the rise in greenhouse gas emissions, has generated attention towards exploring fast-growing filamentous fungi as a potential bioenergy source. This study aimed to optimize Ganoderma lucidum production for elevated biomass and lipid yields in submerged liquid fermentation. The optimization involved varying initial pH, glucose concentration, and agitation rate using response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD). Glucose concentration and initial pH significantly influenced biomass production, while agitation rate had an insignificant effect. For lipid production, glucose concentration, initial medium pH, and agitation rate were identified as significant factors. The optimized conditions (initial pH 6, 50 g/L glucose concentration, and 113.42 rpm) were validated in 500 mL shake flasks and a 3 L Air-L-Shaped Bioreactor (ALSB). Shake flask results showed 8.33 g/L of biomass and 2.17 % of lipid, while the ALSB system produced 5.32 g/L of biomass and 2.35 % lipid. The obtained Ganoderma lucidum mycelial lipid underwent acid-catalysed transesterification to produce biodiesel, which was subjected to several tests to comply ASTM and EN standards. This study serves as a valuable reference for future biodiesel applications through the optimization of Ganoderma lucidum biomass and lipid production.

Sustainable biodiesel production from waste cooking oils for energetically independent small communities: an overview

AbstractIntroducing synthetic fuels and biofuels like biodiesel can be pivotal in transitioning to a decarbonised energy system. Biodiesel offers a versatile solution with various production technologies, each with advantages and disadvantages, depending on several factors, including the specific application of biodiesel. In a smart grid, an advanced electrical grid that leverages digital technology to detect and respond to local changes in usage, a small community could harness biodiesel for energy storage and supply. By implementing a renewable energy storage system in the form of biodiesel from waste oils, individuals can contribute to developing innovative solutions for the combined and distributed production of electricity and heat, primarily from renewable sources. The aim is to make the production-demand distribution networks within a hybrid system smart and in line with the concept of nanogrid. This localised grid can operate independently or in conjunction with the traditional power grid and can integrate generation systems from fossil and renewable sources, micro-cogeneration, and accumulation. The possibility of exploiting biodiesel in a nanogrid as an eco-sustainable source for energy storage opens up the possibility of building small-scale plants. For example, converting 3682 L/year of waste oils from a university campus dining facilities to 3712 L/year of biodiesel allows replacing 19% of the fossil diesel consumed by the university fleet, with a payback period of 16 months, lower capital and operational costs, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions of 9.37 tonnes CO2-eq/yr. Therefore, biodiesel becomes a sustainable energy source for energy communities, underscoring the innovative potential of this approach.

Microwave energy enhanced oil extraction from Millettia Ferruginea (Birbira) seed for biodiesel application: effects of microwave energy on oil extraction yield

Microwave energy enhanced oil extraction from Millettia Ferruginea (Birbira) seed for biodiesel application: effects of microwave energy on oil extraction yield

Experimental study of simultaneous effects of porous medium and biodiesel application on spray and combustion characteristics of gasoline–biodiesel blends

Experimental study of simultaneous effects of porous medium and biodiesel application on spray and combustion characteristics of gasoline–biodiesel blends

Unveiling the pros and cons: Consequences of biodiesel in shaping the future of engine fuels

The worldwide search for eco-friendly energy sources has raised interest in biodiesel as a possible replacement for traditional fossil fuels. The goal of this study is to thoroughly examine the benefits and drawbacks of biodiesel while considering possible future developments for engine fuels. Researchers have focused a lot of interest on biodiesel since its introduction as a renewable alternative fuel. The fundamental components of biodiesel are created through the transesterification of plant, animal, or even waste cooking oil. Biodiesel is used to fully use natural resources and lessen the severity of oil shortages and environmental harm. Without requiring any modifications, biodiesel can be used straight to car engines to enhance engine combustion and lower negative emissions. This study's main goal is to give a general overview of how biodiesel applications affect diesel engines, considering how they affect emissions, vibration, noise levels, compatibility, engine performance and combustion characteristics. This study covers unregulated emissions, concentrating on two topics that have not been thoroughly studied: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). This will be crucial that regulators, researchers and industry stakeholders understand the full spectrum of consequences associated with biodiesel as they collaborate to develop engine fuels in a sustainable and ethical manner.

Water-in-Biodiesel Emulsion with Hydroxy (HHO) Gas Fuel Enrichment for Single-Cylinder Diesel Engine Application

The rising issue of the depletion of fossil fuels opened a new pathway to seek alternative fuels to fulfil World Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The application of high-blending biodiesel is possible however, it causes the diesel engine to perform poorly due to high viscosity, high fuel consumption, and increased NOx emission. To comply with the strict regulation, the idea of combining alternative fuels of high blending biodiesel, water-in-biodiesel emulsion, and hydrogen is seen as possible to solve the issue of each alternative fuel. Therefore, this study focused on the effect of high blending of biodiesel, water-in-biodiesel emulsion with hydroxy (HHO) enrichment in single-cylinder diesel engines on engine performance and exhaust emission. The fuel tested for this study are B10, B50, and an emulsion of B50 with the addition of HHO known as B50H and tested on engine speeds of 2400rpm under various loading conditions of 1kW, 2kW, 3kW, and 4kW. The result showed the B50H showed improvement in Fuel Consumption (FC) by 4%, 5% for Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE), and reduced Nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 23% compared to B10 fuel. Thus, the combination of high blending of biodiesel, water-in-biodiesel emulsion, and HHO gas successfully improved diesel engine performance and reduced harmful exhaust emissions to promote clean and renewable energy, without depending on current diesel fuel.

Exploring the Potential of Nanoparticles in Biofuel Production: Challenges and Future Directions – A Comprehensive Review

Abstract:: The utilization of nanotechnology and nanotechnology in contemporary society has garnered significant interest due to their captivating properties across various academic disciplines. The investigation and development of biodiesel production and fabrication using nanotechnology and nanomaterials have emerged as a central area of scholarly inquiry worldwide. Implementing strategies to accelerate biodiesel production is essential to its success; there is an increasing focus on utilizing state-of-the-art nanotechnology, which enables achieving maximum output while minimizing costs. Consequently, the investigation will center on using various nanomaterials and nanocatalysts to explore the manufacture of biodiesel from diverse materials. The examination of this research project will primarily focus on the culture of algae utilizing nanomaterials and the subsequent collection of lipids. Furthermore, the present investigation is intended to serve as a comprehensive examination of the foremost obstacles and prospective ahead-of-time enhancements regarding the utilization of biodiesel blended with nanoparticle additives in internal combustion engines. Furthermore, this essay will specifically address the problems related to the welfare of individuals and the environment in using nanomaterials in mass manufacturing biodiesel. Consequently, future producers, researchers, and academics stand to gain valuable insights from this study, as it offers a comprehensive understanding of the existing body of research on the application of nanoparticles and nanotechnology in making biodiesel, along with the advancements in enhancing its efficiency.

Toward Low-Carbon Rice Production in China: Historical Changes, Driving Factors, and Mitigation Potential.

Under the "Double Carbon" target, the development of low-carbon agriculture requires a holistic comprehension of spatially and temporally explicit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with agricultural products. However, the lack of systematic evaluation at a fine scale presents considerable challenges in guiding localized strategies for mitigating GHG emissions from crop production. Here, we analyzed the county-level carbon footprint (CF) of China's rice production from 2007 to 2018 by coupling life cycle assessment and the DNDC model. Results revealed a significant annual increase of 74.3 kg CO2-eq ha-1 in the average farm-based CF (FCF), while it remained stable for the product-based CF (PCF). The CF exhibited considerable variations among counties, ranging from 2324 to 20,768 kg CO2-eq ha-1 for FCF and from 0.36 to 3.81 kg CO2-eq kg-1 for PCF in 2018. The spatiotemporal heterogeneities of FCF were predominantly influenced by field CH4 emissions, followed by diesel consumption and soil organic carbon sequestration. Scenario analysis elucidates that the national total GHG emissions from rice production could be significantly reduced through optimized irrigation (48.5%) and straw-based biogas production (18.0%). Moreover, integrating additional strategies (e.g., advanced crop management, optimized fertilization, and biodiesel application) could amplify the overall emission reduction to 76.7% while concurrently boosting the rice yield by 11.8%. Our county-level research provides valuable insights for the formulation of targeted GHG mitigation policies in rice production, thereby advancing the pursuit of carbon-neutral agricultural practices.

Rational biodiesel production from oxidation stability perspective: Evaluation of lipid-soluble carbonyl compound formation in the seed oil and biodiesel with long-term storage

The exploration of appropriate feedstock and catalytic transesterification hinders the practical application of biodiesel. Here, we introduced rational biodiesel production from oxidation stability perspective and evaluated the lipid-soluble carbonyl-containing oxidation products in long-term stored biodiesel samples that prepared from different oil source, catalyst for production, and ester bond type. A stable isotope labeling method based on liquid chromatography-high resolution-mass spectrometry (SIL-LC-HRMS) detection is established using a pair of labeling reagents namely1-(2-hydrazinyl-2-oxoethyl)pyridin-1-ium chloride (GP) and [2H5]1-(2-Hydrazinyl-2-oxoethyl)pyridin-1-ium chloride ([2H5]GP) for lipid-soluble carbonyl-containing oxidation products, including aldehydes and ketones. The main benefits of SIL-LC-HRMS are its sensitivity, selectivity, and feature coverage towards carbonyl-containing compounds and realized their non-targeted screening and relative quantification from complex matrices. Using SIL-LC-HRMS analysis, it was estimated the distribution and formation of 131 carbonyl compounds in three different kinds of second-generation feedstock and biodiesels with one-year storage in the dark. Double bond equivalent (DBE)-number of carbon (nC) plots and hierarchical clustering heatmap analysis reveal the effect of the oil source, catalyst type, and alkyl ester bond type on the variance in carbonyl compound formation during long-term biodiesel storage, arguably the most crucial factor oxidation stability in rational biodiesel production. The carbonyl formation and their variations in biodiesel samples are also discussed by theoretically calculating the bond dissociation energy for the primary constituent of seed oil and biodiesel.

Expression of concern: An integrated salinity-driven workflow for rapid lipid enhancement in green microalgae for biodiesel application

Expression of concern for ‘An integrated salinity-driven workflow for rapid lipid enhancement in green microalgae for biodiesel application’ by Gour Gopal Satpati et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 112340–112355, https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA23933A.

Response Surface Methodology in Biodiesel Production and Engine Performance Assessment

Biodiesel is a sustainable and green fuel with high potential for mitigating the adverse environmental impacts associated with conventional fossil fuels. Since the production of biodiesel is a complex process affected by many parameters which can influence the quality, cost, and environmental impact of the fuel, optimizing these factors is crucial to facilitate the commercialization of biodiesel and reduce emissions. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is a statistical approach that is used to optimize processes and understand the relation between factors and their combined effect on the output response. RSM in biodiesel applications has been used to optimize process variables and to enhance the performance of biodiesel in engines. The goal of this review paper is to offer a brief overview of RSM, its benefits, and how it can be employed to improve the biodiesel production process and engine performance. The input process parameters, output response parameters, optimized combination of values, experimental design used, and the adequacy of the model and response for the studies were discussed. Additionally, this paper analyses the current status of literature on RSM in biodiesel applications, discusses the methodologies used by researchers, and provides useful information about the challenges and potential solutions. The main takeaways from this review include gaining an understanding of the benefits of RSM and its integration with other tools, insights into the challenges associated with biodiesel production and RSM limitations, along with potential research areas for further improvements.

Influence of ethyl proxitol on cold filter plugging point, combustion, emissions characteristics of biodiesel blends in CI engines

In this study, it is aimed to enhance the suitability of biodiesel blends for cold region applications while preserving or even improving combustion and emissions characteristics. The effects of ethyl proxitol additive as an additive to biodiesel blends were investigated. Specifically, two test fuels were formulated namely E15B30 (30% biodiesel, 15% ethyl proxitol, and 55% diesel) and E15B40 (40% biodiesel, 15% ethyl proxitol, and 45% diesel). Experiments were conducted using a single-cylinder CI engine under various operating conditions. Experimental results revealed significant improvements in combustion efficiency, as evidenced by enhanced CGP, HRR, and MGT values, particularly at medium and high engine loads. Additionally, the introduction of ethyl proxitol positively influenced the cold flow plugging point values of the fuel blends, making the fuel blends more suitable for use in cold climates. These improvements were achieved without any significant deviation in emissions parameters, highlighting the environmental friendliness of the fuel blends. This study not only presents a practical solution for addressing cold weather challenges in biodiesel applications but also contributes to the broader goals of sustainability, environmental responsibility, and potential economic benefits. The findings underscore the potential of biodiesel with ethyl proxitol as a promising advancement in alternative fuels.