Camelina Biodiesel Research Articles

Assessment of Selecting the Most Appropriate Oilseed for Biodiesel Production Using the COPRAS Method

Diesel resources are valuable both industrially and economically around the world. However, considerations including the diminishing supply of fossil energies and the rise in greenhouse gas emissions have accelerated research into greener alternative fuels globally. Presently, emerging nations are having difficulty supplying their expanding energy needs due to the depletion of traditional energy sources. It is essential to increase the variety of energy supplies and lessen reliance on fossil fuels by utilising substitutes to address this challenge. One of these alternate sources is biomass, which may be used to produce fluid biofuels like "bioethanol and biodiesel"."The fuel quality, engine performance characteristics, and emission outcomes of biodiesel" are the main criteria that have changed as a result of variations in the physicochemical features of the oilseeds ("soybean, cottonseed, rapeseed, and camelina"). To choose the best energy crop, these parameters were assessed using "multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodologies". “COPRAS” has been used to determine the importance of each parameter and the order of the studied alternatives for this objective."Rapeseed, soybean, cottonseed, and camelina biodiesel" are respectively the top four oilseed substitutes for the manufacturing of biodiesel, according to the analysis's findings.According to the findings; "rapeseed" is the most suited oilseed for growth as an energy commodity, whereas "camelina" is the least favored option for making biodiesel.

KETENCİK [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] YAĞI BİYODİZELİNİN ve KARIŞIM YAKITLARININ FİZİKOKİMYASAL ÖZELLİKLERİNİN ARAŞTIRILMASI

Son yıllarda, bitkisel yağların biyoyakıt kaynağı olarak biyodizel üretimi için kullanılması, yağlı tohumlu bitkilerin öneminin artmasını sağlamıştır. Biyodizel üretiminde kullanılabilecek potansiyel bitkilerden birisi de ketenciktir [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz]. Brassicacea familyası içerisinde yer alan tek yıllık bir bitki olan ketencik, yaygın olarak bilinen 6 Camelina türünden (C. sativa, C. laxa, C. rumelica, C. microcarpa, C. hispida ve C. anomala) biridir. Bu çalışmada, ketencik tohumlarından vidalı pres vasıtasıyla ketencik ham yağı elde edilmiş ve bu yağın yağ asidi bileşenleri incelenmiştir. Biyodizel üretimi, ketencik ham yağından, transesterifikasyon yöntemi ile iki aşamalı olarak (B100) gerçekleştirilerek, ketencik biyodizeli hacimce farklı oranlarda %20 (B20), %7 (B7) ve %2 (B2) dizel yakıtı ile harmanlanmıştır. Bu yakıtların, fizikokimyasal özellikleri; (kinematik viskozite, yoğunluk, su içeriği, kalorifik değer, parlama noktası, bulutlanma noktası, soğuk filtre tıkanma noktası, bakır şerit korozyonu, renk) B100 saf biyodizel yakıtı için EN 14214, B20 yakıtı için EN 16709, B7 ve B2 yakıtları için ise EN 590 standartlarına göre karşılaştırılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre, ketencik biyodizeli (B100) ve karışım yakıtlar (B20, B7 ve B2) dizel motorlarda modifiye edilmeden kullanılabilecek yakıt özelliklerine sahip olduğu söylenebilir.

Deacidification of Camelina sativa L. seed oil by Physisorption method and characterization of produced biodiesel

According to India's National Biofuel Policy, only non-edible oilseed crops can be used for the biofuel feedstock. In this context, Camelina sativa is one such plant that fulfils all the criteria defined by the Biofuel policies of India. So, the present investigation was aimed to examine C. sativa seed oil capabilities as a biodiesel feedstock. Oil was deacidified via adsorption method applying Silica Gel as an adsorbent. The highest efficacy was obtained when 1:9 (Silica gel: oil) ratio was applied and the acid value was reduced from 6.45 to 2.78 mg KOH/g. Furthermore, oil was transesterified using methanol in the ratio of 1:6 (oil: methanol molar ratio) and 0.8 % (w/w of oil) of KOH as a catalyst at 70 ?C. The produced biodiesel was analyzed in terms of fuel-specific parameters and results were compared with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The results were very much satisfactory and under the limits specified by the ASTM standards. The results revealed that oil to biodiesel conversion was 92.28 % with an acid value of 0.37 mg KOH/g. The measured Iodine value was 152 gI2/100g indicated the high unsaturation. Still, Camelina biodiesel showed oxidation stability of 6 h., which was a decent value compared to this much unsaturation. The sulphur content was also higher (24 ppm) than the specified limit (15 ppm). Besides, the fuel-specific parameters like sulphur content and iodine value were under the ASTM limits.

An evaluation of alternative fuels’ spray penetration at various spray cone angles and injection pressures using a simple evaporation model

Spray characteristics and transient behaviour of alternative fuel droplets at different spray cone angles, injection pressures and droplet diameters are presented, using a simple spray evaporation model. The model only considers drag force acting on the droplet. Radiation heat transfer during the evaporation process is neglected. The model incorporates temperature-dependent fuel properties, drag coefficient and Reynolds number for robustness. It is tested for alternative fuels, namely Jatropha Bio-synthetic Paraffinic Kerosen (JSPK), Camelina Bio-synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (CSPK) and biodiesel, while Jet-A is used for comparison. The transient behaviour of fuel droplets is visualised through a time-history of the normalised squared diameter. Changes in the particles’ temperature, mass, density, velocity and heat transfer coefficient over time are observed. Moreover, penetration of the fuels at different spray cone angles, injection pressures and droplet diameters is compared. Among the tested fuels, biodiesel is found to have the farthest penetration due to its high vapour pressure. Notably, increasing spray cone angle reduces penetration length. A similar trend is observed when injection pressure is increased. However, at constant injection pressure, increasing droplet diameter increases spray cone angle and spray penetration. To obtain optimum penetration, therefore, a larger cone angle should be used for fuel with high density and vapour pressure, and vice versa.

Biodiesels from three feedstock: The effect of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles diesel engine parameters fuelled with biodiesel

Physicochemical characteristics of three type biodiesel feedstock and diesel engine parameters fuelled with graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles addition in diesel/biodiesel blends have been investigated. Three types of oilseeds, namely Evening primrose (Oenothera lamarckiana), the fruit of Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and Camelina (Camelina sativa), were selected as suitable resources for Iran. The result showed that the Tree of heaven contains 38% oil which is higher than the Evening primrose (26%) and Camelina (29%). Physicochemical properties of the oils showed that the viscosity of the Camelina oilseeds was less than the Tree of heaven oilseeds and Evening primrose oilseeds. Therefore, in terms of viscosity, the Camelina oilseeds is preferable. Experimental results showed that the biodiesel from all three types of oilseeds are consistent with the ASTM biodiesel standards. However, Camelina biodiesel has better physicochemical properties than another feedstock. Therefore, biodiesel of Camelina oil can be an appropriate alternative to diesel fuels in Iran. Performance and emission parameters of diesel engine fuelled with graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles addition in three biodiesel resources compared with diesel. A reduction in UHCs, CO, and BSFC with a penalty of increased NOx emissions was realized with all graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles addition in diesel/biodiesel blends. Also, with Camelina biodiesel, the power increased.

A regional life cycle assessment and economic analysis of camelina biodiesel production in the Pacific Northwestern US

The primary goal of this study was to model the soil emissions during camelina and wheat production in a three-year cycle in the Pacific North West region of the United States considering spatial variations in agro-climatic factors. The second goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of regional agro-climatic variations on the life cycle impact of biofuel production from camelina. DNDC (Denitrification-Decomposition) model was used to estimate the soil emissions in different regions, and openLCA software was used to quantify the environmental impacts of camelina biodiesel production in the State of Oregon. The suitable lands for the cropping system were lands with winter wheat-fallow cropping system and rainfall of 20–40 cm. The model was run for 60 years to reach to the soil organic carbon (SOC) equilibrium point. The results from the cycle with the SOC equilibrium were used to conduct life cycle assessment (LCA). Energy allocation method was selected to allocate LCA results based on the energy content of products and co-products. The results showed that the global warming potential of camelina biodiesel produced under two scenarios was significantly different (P-value < 0.01) such that no-tillage practice had lower GHG emissions compared to conventional tillage system. Uncertainty analysis was carried out using Monte Carlo method, and the results showed that there could be up to 23% variation in soil emissions due to variation in air temperature and SOC. The break-even cost for a three-year crop rotation (winter wheat-fallow-camelina) was estimated to be 1715 $/ha/3y; therefore, locations with income equal or more than the break-even cost and low environmental impacts are suitable for the winter wheat-fallow-camelina rotation system.

A Comparative Study on the Performance of Fiber-Based Biosorbents in the Purification of Biodiesel Derived from Camelina sativa

Biodiesel has received great interest as a promising substitute for petrodiesel. Biodiesel purification which follows the transesterification process is typically carried out using a wet washing process that generates large amounts of wastewater. Consequently, alternative methods are emerging as sustainable options for biodiesel purification. One of such methods is a dry washing process. In this paper, the performance of three dry washing media (commercially available BD-Zorb, sawdust and wood shavings) were evaluated as potentially suitable options for the purification of biodiesel derived from Camelina sativa. The results indicate that for the crude camelina biodiesel with an initial soap content of 9007 ppm, BD-Zorb exhibited the best purification performance. The soap removal capacity of BD-Zorb, sawdust, and wood shavings was 51.1 mL/g, 24.4 mL/g, and 9.4 mL/g respectively. The primary mechanism of soap removal using sawdust and wood shavings media was physical filtration and adsorption. While for adsorbent BD-Zorb, soap removal mechanism included adsorption and ion exchange due to the existence of a small amount of resins. The ion exchange led to a high acid number (1 mg KOH/g) of the purified biodiesel, and failed to meet the ASTM D6751 specifications (&lt;0.5 mg KOH/g).

Improvement on oxidation and storage stability of biodiesel derived from an emerging feedstock camelina

Camelina is recognized as a promising feedstock for biodiesel production. Similarly to biodiesel derived from other vegetable oils, the oxidative stability is not satisfactory. This issue can be addressed by treating biodiesel with synthetic antioxidants to increase its resistance to oxidation. This study examined the effectiveness of four commonly used antioxidants, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisol (BHA), tert-butylhydrooquinone (TBHQ) and propyl gallate (PrG) on both oxidation stability and storage stability of camelina biodiesel. The antioxidative activity of four antioxidants was found to be in the order of BHA<BHT<PrG<TBHQ; The oil stability index (OSI) of camelina biodiesel was increased (≥8h), meeting the stability requirement regulated in EN 14214:2014, through adding either 2000ppm BHT, 1000ppm PrG or 1000ppm TBHQ. Regarding the long term storage, it was predicted that treating camelina biodiesel with 3000ppm TBHQ was enable satisfactory oxidation stability to be maintained for one year.

An evaluation of biodiesel production from Camelina sativa grown in Nova Scotia

Camelina sativa has recently attracted great interest as an energy crop for biodiesel production in North America. To assess the feasibility of biodiesel production from camelina, the cultivation conditions, camelina oil fatty acid profile, alkali-catalyzed transesterificaiton process and fuel properties of camelina biodiesel were investigated. Unrefined camelina oil, containing 10%, 33.2% and 56.8% saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids respectively, was used to synthesize biodiesel. The conversion rate of C. sativa oil to its methyl esters was 96% under optimal reaction conditions. Most fuel properties of the resulting camelina biodiesel were in good agreement with specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D6751) and European standard (EN 14214), such as kinematic viscosity, acid number, flash point, sulfur content, total glycerol content. Its cetane number (49.7) was satisfactory according to ASTM D6751, but not for EN 14214. Camelina biodiesel exhibited poor oxidative stability (1.9h) resulting from the high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl esters.

Life Cycle Analysis and Production Potential of Camelina Biodiesel in the Pacific Northwest

Camelina sativa could be a potential feedstock to help meet the U.S. biodiesel production goal of 36 billion gallons by 2022, as set forth by Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This research is focused on assessing the energy balance and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of camelina biodiesel production in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of the U.S. Field data were collected from a camelina farm in the region, and crushing and transesterification data were measured using facilities at the University of Idaho. It was estimated that use of camelina biodiesel reduces GHG emissions by 69% compared to 2005 baseline diesel. However, camelina biodiesel does not meet the ASTM D6751 specification for oxidative stability without an additive. Camelina has a smaller seed size compared to canola and required 23% more energy for crushing. The net energy ratio for camelina biodiesel was found to be 3.6, and the fossil energy ratio was found to be 4.2. From an agronomic standpoint, camelina can be incorporated into low rainfall areas of the PNW as a rotational crop. Wheat areas of the PNW with annual rainfall of 19 to 38 cm that currently incorporate fallow into their rotations were considered as potential areas for camelina production. There were 846,500 ha (2.1 million acres) of land meeting the criteria in the region that could potentially produce 443.0 million L of biodiesel (117.1 million gal) and 1.2 billion kg of meal per year. This is 12.1% of the approved amount of camelina meal that could be used in livestock feed within the PNW. It was concluded that camelina biodiesel qualifies as an advanced biofuel, and camelina meal has potential to be consumed locally as a feed mix for livestock.

Determining the performance, emission and combustion properties of camelina biodiesel blends

In the present study, the effects of two different camelina biodiesel fuels obtained through transesterification on engine power and torque performance and emissions and fuel combustion characteristics of these fuels compared to diesel fuel were determined particularly focusing on new blend ratios of B7 and B100, which the European Union has been specifically studying on.Heat release rate calculations, which are an important parameter for the engine characterizing the combustion process that occurs depending on cylinder pressure and crank angle, and mass fraction burned (MFB) in each individual engine cycle, which describes the process of chemical energy release as a function of crank angle, were determined in the study. Maximum HRR (Heat Release Rate) at 2500rpm and 4000rpm was found as 35J/Crank Angle Degree.MFB values at 2500rpm and in blends were found as 100% after 30° (ATDC), at 4000rpm as 100% after 34° (ATDC). Temperature variation depending on crank angle and blends was found to be a maximum of 1900K after 18° (ATDC).

The Optimization of Alkali-Catalyzed Biodiesel Production from Camelina sativa Oil Using a Response Surface Methodology

Camelina sativa oil is considered a promising feedstock for biodiesel production. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize camelina biodiesel production by an alkali-catalyzed transesterification process. The effects of independent factors (temperature, time, molar ratio of methanol/oil, and catalyst concentration) on dependent variables (product yield and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield), was investigated. Mathematical regression models were developed for prediction of the biodiesel product yield and FAME yield. The camelina biodiesel product yield (97%) and FAME yield (98.9%) were achieved at the optimal reaction conditions of 38.7°C reaction temperature, 40 min reaction time, 7.7 molar ratio of methanol/oil, and 1.5 wt.% catalyst concentration.

Life cycle assessment of camelina oil derived biodiesel and jet fuel in the Canadian Prairies

This study evaluated the environmental impact of biodiesel and hydroprocessed renewable jet fuel derived from camelina oil in terms of global warming potential, human health, ecosystem quality, and energy resource consumption. The life cycle inventory is based on production activities in the Canadian Prairies and encompasses activities ranging from agricultural production to oil extraction and fuel conversion. The system expansion method is used in this study to avoid allocation and to credit input energy to co-products associated with the products displaced in the market during camelina oil extraction and fuel processing. This is the preferred allocation method for LCA analysis in the context of most renewable and sustainable energy programs. The results show that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 1MJ of camelina derived biodiesel ranged from 7.61 to 24.72g CO2 equivalent and 3.06 to 31.01kgCO2/MJ equivalent for camelina HRJ fuel. Non-renewable energy consumption for camelina biodiesel ranged from 0.40 to 0.67MJ/MJ; HRJ fuel ranged from −0.13 to 0.52MJ/MJ. Camelina oil as a feedstock for fuel production accounted for the highest contribution to overall environmental performance, demonstrating the importance of reducing environmental burdens during the agricultural production process. Attaining higher seed yield would dramatically lower environmental impacts associated with camelina seed, oil, and fuel production. The lower GHG emissions and energy consumption associated with camelina in comparison with other oilseed derived fuel and petroleum fuel make camelina derived fuel from Canadian Prairies environmentally attractive.

Ethanolysis of camelina oil under supercritical condition with hexane as a co-solvent

Non-catalytic transesterification of camelina sativa oil under supercritical ethanol (SCE) conditions with hexane as a co-solvent was investigated to study the fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) yields. This process enables simultaneous transesterification of triglycerides and ethyl esterification of fatty acids in a shorter reaction of time and may reduce the energy consumption due to simplified separation and purification steps. It was found that the co-solvent plays a vital role in reducing the severity of critical operational parameters and maximizes the biodiesel yield. The important variables affecting the ethyl ester yield during the transesterification reaction are the molar ratio of alcohol/oil, reaction time, reaction temperature and co-solvent to oil ratio. Camelina biodiesel samples were analyzed using FT–IR, GC–MS and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) methods. The fuel properties of camelina biodiesel produced were compared with those of the regular diesel and found to be conforming to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTMs) standards.

A life cycle assessment of biodiesel derived from the “niche filling” energy crop camelina in the USA

Camelina sativa (L.) is a promising crop for biodiesel production that avoids many of the potential pitfalls of traditional biofuel crops, such as land use change (LUC) and food versus fuel. In this study the environmental viability of camelina biodiesel was assessed using life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology. The LCA was conducted using the spreadsheet model dubbed KABAM. KABAM found that camelina grown as a niche filling crop (in rotation with wheat or as a double crop) reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fossil fuel use by 40–60% when compared to petroleum diesel. Furthermore, by avoiding LUC emissions, camelina biodiesel emits fewer GHGs than traditional soybean and canola biodiesel. Finally, a sensitivity analysis concluded that in order to maintain and increase the environmental viability of camelina and other niche filling biofuel crops, researchers and policy makers should focus their efforts on achieving satisfactory yields (1000–2000 kg/ha) while reducing nitrogen fertilizer inputs.

Evaluation of Biodiesel Derived from Camelina sativa Oil

AbstractBiodiesel derived from camelina as well as other feedstocks including palm, mustard, coconut, sunflower, soybean and canola were prepared via the conventional base‐catalyzed transesterification with methanol. Fatty acid profiles and the fuel properties of biodiesel from different vegetable oils were analyzed and tested in accordance with ASTM D6751. Camelina biodiesel contains 10–12%, 37–40%, and 48–50% saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated components, respectively. Some fuel properties of camelina biodiesel are comparable to that of sunflower biodiesel including kinematic viscosity (40 °C), flash point, cloud point, cold filter plugging point, and oil stability index. However, camelina biodiesel exhibited the poorest oxidative stability, highest distillation temperature and has the highest potential to form coke during combustion, all of which are attributed to the high amounts of n‐3‐fatty acids in camelina oil. While neat camelina biodiesel may exhibit undesirable fuel properties, it is very comparable with soybean biodiesel at the B20 level.

Camelina meal and crude glycerin as feed supplements for developing replacement beef heifers1

Angus × Gelbvieh rotationally crossbred yearling heifers (n = 99, yr 1; n = 105, yr 2) were used in a 2-yr randomized complete block design experiment with repeated measures to determine the effect of feeding camelina biodiesel coproducts (meal and crude glycerin) on serum concentrations of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, insulin, β-hydroxybutyrate, and glucose, as well as on growth and reproductive performance. Heifers were assigned to 1 of 15 pens, and pens were assigned initially to receive 7.03 k·•heifer(-1)·d(-1) of bromegrass hay plus 0.95 kg·heifer(-1)·d(-1) of 1 of 3 supplements for 60 d before breeding: 1) control (50% ground corn and 50% soybean meal, as-fed basis); 2) mechanically extracted camelina meal; or 3) crude glycerin (50% soybean meal, 33% ground corn, 15% crude glycerin, 2% corn gluten meal; as-fed basis). Preprandial blood samples were collected via the jugular vein on d 0, 30, and 60 of the feeding period. A 2-injection PGF(2α) protocol (d 60 and 70 of the study) was used to synchronize estrus. Heifers were artificially inseminated 12 h after estrus was first detected. Heifers not detected in estrus within 66 h received a GnRH injection and were artificially inseminated. Dietary treatment × sampling period interactions were not detected (P = 0.17 to 0.87). Dietary treatment did not affect BW (P = 0.44 to 0.59) or serum concentrations of thyroxine (P = 0.96), β-hydroxybutyrate (P = 0.46), glucose (P = 0.59), or insulin (P = 0.44). Serum concentrations of triiodothyronine were greater (P = 0.05) in heifers fed camelina meal. Additionally, dietary treatment did not affect the percentage of heifers detected in estrus before timed AI (P = 0.83), first-service pregnancy rates of those heifers detected in estrus (P = 0.97), or overall first-service pregnancy rates (P = 0.58). Heifers fed camelina meal, however, had greater (P = 0.05) first-service pregnancy rates to timed AI than did heifers fed the control and crude glycerin supplements. The cost per pregnancy was similar for heifers fed the crude glycerin or the control supplement, whereas the cost per pregnancy was the least for heifers fed camelina meal. We conclude that camelina coproducts can replace conventional corn-soybean meal supplements in the diets of developing replacement beef heifers.

Microwave-Assisted Catalytic Transesterification of Camelina Sativa Oil

Catalytic conversion of Camelina Sativa oil to biodiesel through both conventional heating and microwave radiation was investigated. Three different types of catalysts: homogeneous catalysts (NaOH and KOH), heterogeneous metal oxide catalysts (BaO and SrO), and sol−gel derived catalysts (BaCl2/AA and SrCl2/AA) were evaluated for their efficacy in biodiesel production. The following conditions were obtained for the catalysts based on the maximum biodiesel yield: potassium hydroxide/methanol to oil ratio of 1:9, catalyst concentration of 1% (w/w), and reaction time of 60 s; sodium hydroxide/methanol to oil ratio of 1:9, catalyst concentration of 0.5 wt %, and reaction time of 60 s; barium oxide/methanol to oil ratio of 1:9, catalyst concentration of 1.5% (w/w), and reaction time of 4 min; strontium oxide/methanol to oil ratio of 1:9, catalyst concentration of 2 wt %, and reaction time of 4 min. In the case of sol−gel derived catalysts, different catalyst loading rates in the range of 1−10 mmol/g were evaluated. Low biodiesel yields of 10−25% on the sol−gel derived catalysts were observed. On the basis of energy consumptions in the transesterification processes with both conventional heating and microwave-heating methods evaluated in this study, it was estimated that the microwave-heating method consumes less than 10% of the energy to achieve the same yield as the conventional heating method. The fuel properties of camelina biodiesel produced were compared with those of the regular diesel and found to be conforming to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.