Crude Jatropha Oil Research Articles

Evaluation of CI engine characteristics using Jatropha‐Camphor oil blends with diethyl ether as an additive

AbstractThe compression‐ignition properties of crude Jatropha and camphor oil blends with di ethyl ether (DEE) added is covered in this research. Six fuel samples are made based on volume: 90% C70J30 with 10% diethyl ether (C70J30 + 10% DEE), 90% C30J70 with 10% di‐ethyl ether (C50J50 + 10% DEE), 70% Camphor oil with 30% crude Jatropha oil (C70J30), 50% Camphor oil with 50% crude Jatropha oil (C50J50), 30% Camphor oil with 70% crude Jatropha oil (C30750). A four‐stroke, one‐cylinder, naturally aspirated, compression‐ignition engine operating at a constant 1500 rpm with a load range of 0%–100% with a 25% interval is used for the experiment. According to test findings, the C70J30 + 10% DEE has the lowest brake‐specific energy consumption of 11.68 kJ/kWh, the maximum energy efficiency of 62.56%, and the highest thermal efficiency of 30.81%. Compared to the other biofuels examined, this puts it more in line with diesel. Additionally, blends of crude Jatropha oil and camphor oil showed at least 4.46 g/kWh of CO, 0.259 g/kWh of HC, and 74% of smoke opacity when DEE was added. However, it raises CO2 to 0.792 kg/kWh and NO to 9.54 g/kWh. The greatest peak pressure and quickest heat release are produced by adding more DEE as a fuel additive and using a larger percentage of camphor oil. It also increases the coefficient of variation of the peak pressure throughout 100 cycles. All things considered, the C70J30 + 10% DEE's CI engine features are better.

The determination of heterogeneous catalytic performance of Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) in the production of biodiesel via transesterification of Jatropha oil

The high energy demand with the negative environmental impacts of using fossil fuel for energy generations raised question on over dependability on it for sustainable economic growth. Biodiesel tend to be one of the renewable alternative solutions towards the above problems. Biodiesel can be produced through various methods such as transesterification, micro emulsion and pyrolysis The heterogeneous catalytic performance of Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) in the production of biodiesel via transesterification of jatropha oil was investigated. The morphological and chemical properties of POFA were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Fluoroscopy (XRF) respectively. The crude Jatropha oil was transesterified and 0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt%, 0.3wt%, 0.4wt% and 0.5wt% of POFA were used as heterogeneous catalyst. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) has been used to determine the functional group of the samples. SEM indicates the presence porous structure, texture and irregular shape on POFA while XRF shows that it comprises mainly of SiO2 (79.45 %). The maximum percentage of biodiesel yield was 92.30% at the application of 0.2wt% POFA. This shows that POFA can be used as a heterogeneous catalyst in the production of biodiesel.

An investigation of the longevity wear assessment during the utilisation of biofuel-diesel blends in a diesel engine: a case study of crude palm and crude jatropha oil

A longevity test was conducted to evaluate the impact of biofuels on engine degradation. Two varieties of blended fuel were generated by adding crude palm oil or crude jatropha oil to B5 diesel. The amounts of additional crude oil were 5, 10, and 15%. The testing period lasted 600 h, which is equivalent to 3–5 years of actual service. Before and after the test, the dimensions of engine elements were measured to determine the level of wear. Inspecting engine components revealed that combining crude bio-oils in proportions ranging from 0 to 15% increased engine wear. Components located in the combustion chamber exhibited greater wear when blended fuels were used, whereas fuel pump and injector components, which were not exposed to the heat, exhibited lower levels of wear. Even though engine wear was observed when mixed fuels were used, the vast majority of wear rates were incredibly low, ranging from 0.001 to 0.002 mm per 100 h. The only exception to this rule was the piston attrition rate, which was measured at 0.007 mm per 100 h. It can be concluded that engine wear is negligible when biofuel is blended with diesel in a ratio not exceeding 15% compared to B5 diesel.

Physical Properties of New Formulation of Hybrid Nanofluid-based Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) from Modified Jatropha Oil as Metalworking Fluid

As a metalworking fluid, vegetable-based crude jatropha oil (CJO) was used in place of petroleum-based oil. The use of petroleum-oil-based metalworking fluids poses significant environmental and health concerns. Furthermore, it has a large amount of free fatty acid (FFA), promoting physical damage. This research targets to substantially evaluate the modified jatropha nanofluids formulation as a metalworking fluid for machining processes. CJO was chemically altered using the esterification and transesterification processes to produce modified jatropha oil (MJO). To make the nanofluids, MJO was mixed with nanoparticles of Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) + Tungsten Disulfide (WS2) and Hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) + Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) at a concentration of 0.025 wt.%. The viscosity and acid value of MJO nanofluids were assessed using ASTM standards and compared to a synthetic ester (SE). All the data indicates that the physical attributes improved throughout storage. It is possible to conclude that MJOhw (MJO + 0.025 wt.% hBN + WS2) has the ability as a long-term metalworking fluid for the machining operation. According to the experiment results, MJOhw surpasses non-additive MJO in terms of kinematic viscosity by 5.91% at 40 °C and 15.6% at 100 °C. During a one-month duration of storage time, MJOhw also improve viscosity index (319) by 18.15%. Furthermore, MJOhw has an acid value ranging from 0.34 to 0.58 mg NaOH/g. Finally, the inclusion of additives aids MJO in improving its qualities by 31.1% reduction in acid value and MJOhw demonstrates outstanding lubricating properties across all samples.

Optimization of Curing Process for Production of Jatropha Oil Bio-Based Resin Decorated With Nano-Al2O3 and Mechanical Characterization

Concerns on the environment, health and safety issues posed by synthetic resins has amplified numerous efforts of producing resin from various renewable sources. The use of plant oil as potential source of resin has attracted interest from various researchers. Jatropha Oil is a competitive source to petroleum counterparts due to its availability, biodegradability, low eco-toxicity but exhibit poor mechanical properties among many. The objective of this study is to study the effect of adding nanoparticles as reinforcing fillers to bio-based resin from Epoxidized crude Jatropha Oil (ECJO) to improve its mechanical performance. Various loadings of 0% to 4% of Al2O3 nanoparticles was tested on epoxy bio-resin. Later the specimens fabricated were cured and characterized for its mechanical properties. Addition of 1 wt% of Al2O3 nanoparticles improved the tensile strength of a bio-based epoxy resin to tensile stress of 29.37±2.00 MPa, elastic with an elastic modulus of 840.80±124.53 MPa. Further characterization at optimum addition of nano-Al2O3 resulted a glass transition temperature of 37.95˚C. In overall, the inclusion of nano-Al2O3 has definitely improved the mechanical properties of the material which will be useful for further application material engineering.

The role of 1.8-cineole addition on the change in triglyceride geometry and combustion characteristics of vegetable oils droplets

The use of Crude Vegetable Oils (CVO) in diesel engine faces several problems related to viscosity and combustion characteristics. This research aims to reveal the role of 1.8-cineole on performance characteristics of vegetable oil droplets. In this study, bubble growth, ignition delay, micro-explosion, and flame evolution process with and without 1.8-cineole in CVO has been studied experimentally at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. Droplets are examined using classical high-speed imaging techniques. The result shows that 1.8-cineole decreases all the various ignition delay into uniform time delay except for the non-polar Crude Jatropha Oil (CJO) compounds are more saturated, larger molecule and stiffer. Magnetic field produced in aromatic ring of 1.8-cineole assisted by strong electric chard in its oxygen atom induces electron in fuel molecules to become more reactive. Moreover, the 1.8-cineole compound crooked the molecular chain of triglyceride on Crude Coconut Oil (CCO), Crude Palm Oil (CPO), and Crude Sunflower Oil (CSFO) to bend apart from each other even longer, when compared to that of CJO, therefore, lowering viscosity and increasing volatility and increasing the burning rate. The polarity of the four droplets has high impact on the influence of 1.8-cineole on the performance of oil droplets in the process of evaporation to the ignition.

Comparative Studies on Combustion Characteristics of Blended Crude Jatropha Oil with Magnetic Liquid Catalyst and DEX under Normal Gravity Condition

A comparative study on the combustion characteristics of a single droplet fueled by DEX, crude jatropha oil (CJO), and a mixture of CJO with a magnetic liquid catalyst of rhodium trisulfate has been carried out under normal gravity conditions. The high viscosity of crude jatropha oil makes it difficult to burn under normal conditions (room temperature and atmospheric pressure), therefore the addition of a magnetic liquid catalyst rhodium trisulfate is needed to improve the properties of crude jatropha oil. As a catalyst, rhodium trisulfate has the potential to improve combustion performance while improving the physical properties of crude jatropha oil as an alternative fuel for the better. Furthermore, performance tests were also carried out with DEX fuel with a cetane number (CNs) 53. The results showed that compared to DEX, it was seen that the liquid metal catalyst rhodium trisulfate succeeded in making crude jatropha oil more charged so that the combustion process was better. This is evidenced by a significant change in the dimensions of the flame and an increase in the combustion temperature. Moreover, it is also seen that the burning rate increases and the ignition delay become faster.

Ternary Nanocomposite System Composing of Graphene Nanoplatelet, Cellulose Nanofiber and Jatropha Oil Based Waterborne Polyurethane: Characterizations, Mechanical, Thermal Properties and Conductivity.

This work aims to evaluate the performance of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) as conductive filler with the presence of 0.5 wt.% cellulose nanofiber (CNF) on the physical, mechanical, conductivity and thermal properties of jatropha oil based waterborne polyurethane. Polyurethane was made from crude jatropha oil using an epoxidation and ring-opening process. 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 wt.% GNP and 0.5 wt.% CNF were incorporated using casting method to enhance film performance. Mechanical properties were studied following standard method as stated in ASTM D638-03 Type V. Thermal stability of the nanocomposite system was studied using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Filler interaction and chemical crosslinking was monitored using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and film morphology were observed with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Water uptake analysis, water contact angle and conductivity tests are also carried out. The results showed that when the GNP was incorporated at fixed CNF content, it was found to enhance the nanocomposite film, its mechanical, thermal and water behavior properties as supported by morphology and water uptake. Nanocomposite film with 0.5 wt.% GNP shows the highest improvement in term of tensile strength, Young’s modulus, thermal degradation and water behavior. As the GNP loading increases, water uptake of the nanocomposite film was found relatively small (<1%). Contact angle test also indicates that the film is hydrophobic with addition of GNP. The conductivity properties of the nanocomposite film were not enhanced due to electrostatic repulsion force between GNP sheet and hard segment of WBPU. Overall, with addition of GNP, mechanical and thermal properties was greatly enhanced. However, conductivity value was not enhanced as expected due to electrostatic repulsion force. Therefore, ternary nanocomposite system is a suitable candidate for coating application.

Experimental study on physical properties of modified jatropha oil-based nanofluids for machining purposes

Vegetable-based crude jatropha oil (CJO) was utilized to substitute petroleum-based oil as a metalworking fluid. The usage of petroleum-oil based as a metalworking fluid causes a major concern to the environment and health issues. Besides that, it has a high quantity of free fatty acid (FFA), which causes physical deterioration. This study aims to physically test the new formulation oil-based on modified jatropha nanofluids as the metalworking fluid for machining purposes. To create modified jatropha oil (MJO), CJO was chemically modified through the esterification and transesterification process. MJO was combined with nanoparticles which are activated carbon (AC) at the concentration of 0.01 wt%, 0.025 wt% and 0.05 wt% to create the nanofluids. The properties of MJO nanofluids were tested using ASTM standards for viscosity and acid value and were compared with the synthetic ester (SE). All of the results indicate that the physical qualities improved during the storage period. MJOa3 (MJO + 0.05 wt% AC), it may be inferred, has potential as a long-term metalworking fluid for the machining process. Based on the experiment result, for kinematic viscosity, MJOa3 shows better results during the period from day 1 to day 7 compared to non-additive MJO. MJOa3 recorded the highest viscosity index (184). In addition, MJOs have the lowest acid value of 0.4 to 0.48 mg NaOH/g. In conclusion, the presence of AC helps MJO to improve their properties and MJOa3 shows excellent lubricant properties from all the samples.

Comparative evaluation of crude Tamanu oil performance as metalworking fluids

In manufacturing industry, metalworking fluids which are mineral based oils are widely applied as feedstock for many sorts of lubrication and cooling applications, posing environmental and health risks. As an alternative replacement, plant-based oils are found to be a viable contender to the mineral-based oil performance. However, crude vegetable oils possess high viscosity values, and low thermal oxidative stability, which prompted the oil modification method to improve the oil's physicochemical properties. The purpose of this study is to investigate the machining performance of a novel Crude Tamanu oil (CTO), a product from Pahang, Malaysia, market ready Crude jatropha oil (CJO), commercially available Refined, bleached & deodorized palm olein (RBDPO) and Synthetic ester (SE) during the turning process of AISI 316L stainless steel disc using minimum quality lubrication (MQL) technique. The process outcomes are cutting forces, deformed chip thickness, chip curling effect, and elemental compositions on the surface morphology of the cutting inserts. Based on the experimental results, the best plant-based lubricant in its crude form is revealed by the machining lubricated with CJO, which outperforms all the other tested lubricant samples. The CTO possesses a high kinematic viscosity and viscosity index values, which leads to a huge opportunity for further improvement on its lubrication properties that could improvise its antiwear and antifriction behaviors. This work could further support the sustainable manufacturing efforts in enhancing ‘greener’ metalworking applications as well as the agricultural and the socio economy of the nation.

Structural and Rheological Properties of Nonedible Vegetable Oil-Based Resin.

Jatropha oil-based polyol (JOL) was prepared from crude Jatropha oil via an epoxidation and hydroxylation reaction. During the isocyanation step, two different types of diisocyanates; 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (2,4-TDI) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), were introduced to produce Jatropha oil-based polyurethane acrylates (JPUA). The products were named JPUA-TDI and JPUA-IPDI, respectively. The success of the stepwise reactions of the resins was confirmed using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to support the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis that was reported in the previous study. For JPUA-TDI, the presence of a signal at 7.94 ppm evidenced the possible side reactions between urethane linkages with secondary amine that resulted in an aryl-urea group (Ar-NH-COO-). Meanwhile, the peak of 2.89 ppm was assigned to the α-position of methylene to the carbamate (-CH2NHCOO) group in the JPUA-IPDI. From the rheological study, JO and JPUA-IPDI in pure form were classified as Newtonian fluids, while JPUA-TDI showed non-Newtonian behaviour with pseudoplastic or shear thinning behaviour at room temperature. At elevated temperatures, the JO, JPUA-IPDI mixture and JPUA-TDI mixture exhibited reductions in viscosity and shear stress as the shear rate increased. The JO and JPUA-IPDI mixture maintained Newtonian fluid behaviour at all temperature ranges. Meanwhile, the JPUA-TDI mixture showed shear thickening at 25 °C and shear thinning at 40 °C, 60 °C and 80 °C. The master curve graph based on the shear rate for the JO, JPUA-TDI mixture and JPUA-IPDI mixture at 25 °C, 40 °C, 60 °C and 80 °C was developed as a fluid behaviour reference for future storage and processing conditions during the encapsulation process. The encapsulation process can be conducted to fabricate a self-healing coating based on a microcapsule triggered either by air or ultra-violet (UV) radiation.

Steady-State and Dynamic Simulation Study of Reactive Distillation for FFA Esterification in Biodiesel Synthesis

Reactive distillation (RD) holds promise for process intensification in biodiesel production since it integrates reaction and separation. It simplifies the process and enhances the conversion of the equilibrium limited reactions. To ensure the stability in RD operation, sensitivity study and process control simulation are necessary. In this work, RD was employed for free fatty acid (FFA) esterification of mixed non edible oils in biodiesel synthesis. Non edible oils used were waste cooking oil, crude jatropha oil, and crude nyamplung oil (Calophyllum inophyllum L). Simulation was conducted using ASPEN Plus V8.8. Sensitivity study was carried out to determine the effects of the operating condition alteration. A dynamic simulation was performed as a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller tuning. It was revealed that the highest FFA conversion was 85%, achieved at the feed stage of 7, distillate rate of 0.22 kmol/hr, and oil to methanol molar ratio of 1:5. Level, pressure and temperature controls were installed in RD. Then, a dynamic simulation was applied as a PID controller tuning. Three different controller tuning methods, viz. Ziegler-Nichols, Cohen-Coon, and Internal Model Control, were studied. The best PID parameter was obtained by using Cohen-Coon method which provided fastest rise time, lowest settling time and lowest overshoot.

Effect of Cellulose Nanofibrils on the Properties of Jatropha Oil-Based Waterborne Polyurethane Nanocomposite Film.

The objective of this work was to study the influence of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of Jatropha oil-based waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) nanocomposite films. The polyol to produce polyurethane was synthesized from crude Jatropha oil through epoxidation and ring-opening method. The chain extender, 1,6-hexanediol, was used to improve film elasticity by 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 wt.% of CNF loading was incorporated to enhance film performance. Mechanical performance was studied using a universal test machine as specified in ASTM D638-03 Type V and was achieved by 0.18 MPa at 0.5 wt.% of CNF. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to measure the temperature of degradation and the chemical crosslinking and film morphology were studied using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The results showed that when the CNF was incorporated, it was found to enhance the nanocomposite film, in particular its mechanical and thermal properties supported by morphology. Nanocomposite film with 0.5 wt.% of CNF showed the highest improvement in terms of tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and thermal degradation. Although the contact angle decreases as the CNF content increases, the effect on the water absorption of the film was found to be relatively small (<3.5%). The difference between the neat WPBU and the highest CNF loading film was not more than 1%, even after 5 days of being immersed in water.

PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF WATER CHESTNUT (Eleocharis dulcis) AND GIANT MOLESTA (Salvinia molesta) EXTRACT

The purpose of this research was to observe of phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of chinese water chesnut (Eleocharis dulcis) and giant molesta (Salvinia molesta) extracts with three solvents of different levels of polarity. This study used an experimental laboratory method and data analysis was carried out descriptively. Some of the steps carried out include the stages of sampling, sample extraction, calculation of extract extracts, quantitative phytochemical analysis (flavonoid content, phenol content, phenolic content, and tannin content), and test of antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS and Reducing ability. The results showed that extracts of extract using ethanol in water chesnut and giant molesta had the highest values of 2.01% and 2.26%. Quantitative phytochemical tests on water chesnut and giant molesta extract showed that ethanol solvents at flavonoid levels had the highest values of 288.75 ppm and 267 ppm. The results of antioxidant activity with the water chesnut and giant molesta extracts had very weak IC50 values in n-hexan solvents valued at 1977.22 ppm and 3211.2 ppm. Water chesnut of extract had the highest ABTS value in ethyl acetate solvents at a concentration of 1000 ppm at 85.253% and in giant molesta extract at a concentration of 1000 ppm using ethanol solvent had the highest value of 76.665%. Ethanol extract in water chesnut extract and giant molesta had the highest reducing ability power with a mean absorbance of 0.477 and 0.520. The best solvent for extracting water chesnut and giant molesta were ethanol.

Effects of Storage Characteristics on Flash Point and Water Content of Biodiesel derived from Crude Palm Oil, Jatropha, and Waste Cooking Oil

In recent years, there was a major drawback in the reduction of fossil fuels. Researchers attempts to find solutions to overcome this crisis including using biodiesel as replacement for fossil fuel. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ambient and storage characteristics on flash point and water content of biodiesel derived from crude palm oil, jatropha and waste cooking oil. There are three types of biodiesel blending which is 5 vol %, 10 vol % g and 15 vol% blending and compare with commercial diesel. There are three type of biodiesel blended from Crude Palm Oil, Jatropha, and Waste Cooking Oil. The biodiesel samples were stored in clinical compartment, at different temperatures and were monitored at regular interval over a period of 1960 hours’ periods and storage temperature from 28oC~35oC. The analysis of blending biodiesel properties is performed with ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standard. The changes of properties of biodiesel such as density, kinematics viscosity, acid value, water content and flash point of biodiesel were discussed in detail. High blending ratio CPO blends and longer storage period influences the increasing of viscosity for both conditions. Storage characteristics has a great influence on the biodiesel blends especially under high blending ratio. Increasing storage duration and temperature for all variant blending ratios are found to influences the increasing of the water content fuel density, resulting in increased the biodiesel viscosity. However, flash point of all biodiesel blends tends to decrease with increasing storage duration at different storage temperature.

Comparative Study of Aromatic and Cycloaliphatic Isocyanate Effects on Physico-Chemical Properties of Bio-Based Polyurethane Acrylate Coatings.

Crude jatropha oil (JO) was modified to form jatropha oil-based polyol (JOL) via two steps in a chemical reaction known as epoxidation and hydroxylation. JOL was then reacted with isocyanates to produce JO-based polyurethane resin. In this study, two types of isocyanates, 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (2,4-TDI) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) were introduced to produce JPUA-TDI and JPUA-IPDI respectively. 2,4-TDI is categorised as an aromatic isocyanate whilst IPDI is known as a cycloaliphatic isocyanate. Both JPUA-TDI and JPUA-IPDI were then end-capped by the acrylate functional group of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The effects of that isocyanate structure were investigated for their physico, chemical and thermal properties. The changes of the functional groups during each synthesis step were monitored by FTIR analysis. The appearance of urethane peaks was observed at 1532 cm−1, 1718 cm−1 and 3369 cm−1 while acrylate peaks were detected at 815 cm−1 and 1663 cm−1 indicating that JPUA was successfully synthesised. It was found that the molar mass of JPUA-TDI was doubled compared to JPUA-IPDI. Each resin showed a similar degradation pattern analysed by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). For the mechanical properties, the JPUA-IPDI-based coating formulation exhibited a higher hardness value but poor adhesion compared to the JPUA-TDI-based coating formulation. Both types of jatropha-based polyurethane acrylate may potentially be used in an ultraviolet (UV) curing system specifically for clear coat surface applications to replace dependency on petroleum-based chemicals.

The role of rhodium sulfate on the bond angles of triglyceride molecules and their effect on the combustion characteristics of crude jatropha oil droplets

The alternative fuels were developed from a blended fuel with crude jatropha oil (CJO) and rhodium sulfate as a homogeneous combustion catalyst. In this study, the performances of blended fuel droplets were investigated experimentally under normal gravity conditions. Combustion characteristics were observed by igniting droplets at the thermocouple junction, and the droplet combustion was observed using a high-speed camera. To this end, understanding how the molecular structure (bonding and angular properties of triglyceride carbon chains) of the fuel affects the combustion characteristics is crucial. The results showed that CJO had 53 rotatable and 111 nonrotatable bonds. This makes CJO more rigid and nonpolar. The interaction of the catalyst with triglycerides changes the molecular chain bond angle so that the atoms get extra space to move, thereby increasing the electron mobility. This makes the fuel molecule more reactive so that the viscosity and flash point are reduced and the fuel is easily ignited. Moreover, the results also showed that the catalyst improved combustion performance, where droplet ignition times were shorter at higher temperatures, and fuel droplets had higher burning rates and combustion temperatures.

Performance of Semi Adiabatic DI Diesel Engine with Supercharged air using Crude Jatropha Oil

Performance of Semi Adiabatic DI Diesel Engine with Supercharged air using Crude Jatropha Oil

Performance of Semi Adiabatic DI Diesel Engine with Supercharged air using Crude Jatropha Oil

Vegetable oils are the only fuels, can be substituted as alternative to overcome the shortage in developing countries. Using non-edible oil like crude jatropha as alternative, waste land can be effectively cultivated and employment can be improved. Experiments were Initiated on semi adiabatic diesel engine with super charging air through the intake manifold using crude jatropha oil with varied injection pressure and varied injection timing to study the performance of the engine. Tests were also conducted using diesel fuel in diesel engine and engine with high grade heat rejection combustion chamber at recommended injection timing at 270bTDC with super charging air using crude jatropha oil. Improvement in performance was found with super charging when comparing with natural aspiration.

Synergetic combination of a mesoporous polymeric acid and a base enables highly efficient heterogeneous catalytic one-pot conversion of crude Jatropha oil into biodiesel

Highly efficient conversion of crude Jatropha oil to biodiesel was realized under mild conditions via a synergistic catalytic system consisting of acid (MICPHPW) and base (MICPOH) catalysts using a ‘one-pot, two-step’ strategy.