Venkatraman Balasubramaniam

Bio: Venkatraman Balasubramaniam is an academic researcher from Mepco Schlenk Engineering College. The author has contributed to research in topics: Diesel fuel & Vegetable oil. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 6 citations.

Optimization of used cooking oil methyl ester production using response surface methodology

Abstract: Monoalkyl ester of vegetable oil, animal fat, and used cooking oil (UCO) is termed as biodiesel. Biodiesel obtained from UCO is gaining importance as an alternate fuel for usage in diesel e...

Fabrication and Optimization of Nanocatalyst for Biodiesel Production: An Overview

Abstract: Necessity and exploitation of fossil fuel products are implacable in serving the needs of humanity despite being a finite and limited resource. To meet the thrust of energy, biofuels derived from varieties of renewable resources are imperative in fulfilling the demand of renewable fuels on a large scale without creating environmental concerns. Biofuels are mainly the result of carbon fixation stored in plants and other products ultimately reducing the total amount of carbon dioxide. Different kind of biofuels like bioethanol, biomethanol, biogas and biodiesel are derived depending on the varieties of feedstock materials. However, in this review we have discussed the production of biofuels derived from various feedstock with emphasis on biodiesel production. Production of biofuels proceeds via many processes like anaerobic fermentation, pyrolysis, gasification and trans-esterification process. However, in biodiesel production, nanocatalyst plays an important role in maximizing its yield. Modification of nanocatalyst and its optimization parameters play a significant and pivotal role in the biodiesel production on a large scale. With the advent of nanotechnology, designing and modification of catalyst gives rise to attractive properties such as increased surface area, high thermal stability, and enhanced catalytic activity. Besides nanocatalyst, production of biodiesel can also be enhanced greatly by optimizing the reaction parameters, thereby increasing the quality and quantity of biodiesel on a large scale.

Effect of acetone as an oxygenated additive with used sunflower oil biodiesel on performance, combustion and emission in diesel engine.

Abstract: A major problem that is confronting mankind is the rapid depletion of fossil resources creating an energy demand along with their environmental impact. Therefore, finding an alternate energy source is the primary goal to attain sustainable development. Biodiesel is a promising alternate energy source for compression ignition engines. But it has some drawbacks like lower thermal efficiency, higher emission of smoke, NOx, CO and HC. Adding fuel additives with biodiesel-diesel blends is a fruitful method to overcome these problems. In this work, acetone is used as an oxygenated fuel additive in the volumetric proportion of 5%, 10%, and 15% with biodiesel-diesel blend and named as B20A5, B20A10 and B20A15. The performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of single-cylinder, four-stroke, water-cooled vertical diesel engine has been evaluated. The experimental results revealed that B20A15 has resulted in a nominal increase in brake specific fuel consumption by 8%, brake thermal efficiency of 1%, and reduction in CO by 18.4%, smoke opacity by 4.46%, HC by 1.42%, and NOx by 4.36% when compared to diesel at full load condition.

Upgrading biomass pyrolysis oil model compound via esterification with ethanol over a heteropoly acid

Abstract: Upgrading of bio-oil, which is produced from the fast pyrolysis of biomass, has gained increasing attention as an alternative carbon-neutral liquid fuel. In this work, esterification of the bio-oil...