biodiesel

This paper mainly focuses the study and analysis of the existing contributions related to the Biodiesel production. It, firstly, discuss the key issues related contributions which include chemical process, reactor designing, plantation, blending and applications. Next, it summarizes the analysis of the other prominent contributions related to process model, design, production, cost, optimization, feasibility, safety, effects, challenges and future of the Biodiesel. It also presents the discussion on the open issues in Biodiesel. Secondly, an approach is suggested for the design of the Biodiesel manufacturing plant in view of cost and capacity. The suggested approach is based on the mathematical model. This paper provides the brief study of Biodiesel production and plant design and it can be helpful to the beginners in the domain of renewable energy research.

The mathematical model for the transestrification of jatropha curcas seed oil was developed by factorial analysis of design of experiment. The factors studied were methanol to oil molar ratio (6 –10), catalyst concentration (4-8wt %), reaction time (1-2hrs) and stirrer speed (100 -700rpm). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the experimental results at 95% confidence level revealed that the developed model equation was significant and stirrer speed was the major parameter in the transestrification reaction followed by reaction time and methanol to oil ratio having effects of 24.59, 21.16 and 8.07% respectively. Comparison of experimentally obtained biodiesel yields with the predicted biodiesel yields by the developed model showed close proximity having high correlation coefficient (R2=0.995). Numerical optimization of the process predicted that maximum biodiesel yield of 88.25% would be obtained at the following reaction conditions: methanol to oil molar ratio of 10, catalyst concentration of 8wt%, reaction time of 1 hour and stirrer speed of 700rpm. The developed mathematical model can be employed in simulation of biodiesel production under the reaction conditions studied.

The depletion of world petroleum reserves & the increased environmental concerns have stimulated the search for alternative sources for petroleum based fuel. Biodiesel is an alternative to conventional diesel fuel made from renewable resources, such as non-edible vegetable oils. The oil from seeds (e.g., Jatropha and Pongamia) can be converted to a fuel commonly referred to as "Biodiesel."Biodiesel fuel (fatty Acid methyl ester) from vegetable oil is considered as the best of the applicant for diesel engine made from renewable biological sources. It consists of the monoalkyl esters formed by a catalyzed reaction of the triglycerides in the oil or fat with a simple monohydric alcohol. Diesel engines operated on biodiesel have lower emissions of carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, particulate matter, and air toxics than when operated on petroleum-based diesel fuel. The objective of this paper is to explain the method production of biodiesel which is safe biodegradable and non-toxic.