An experimental comparison of methods to use methanol and Jatropha oil in a compression ignition engine
TL;DR: In this paper, various methods of using vegetable oil (Jatropha oil) and methanol such as blending, transesterification and dual fuel operation were studied experimentally.
Abstract: In this work various methods of using vegetable oil (Jatropha oil) and methanol such as blending, transesterification and dual fuel operation were studied experimentally. A single cylinder direct injection diesel engine was used for this work. Tests were done at constant speed of 1500 rev min −1 at varying power outputs. In dual fuel operation the methanol to Jatropha oil ratio was maintained at 3:7 on the volume basis. This is close to the fraction of methanol used to prepare the ester with Jatropha oil. Brake thermal efficiency was better in the dual fuel operation and with the methyl ester of Jatropha oil as compared to the blend. It increased form 27.4% with neat Jatropha oil to a maximum of 29% with the methyl ester and 28.7% in the dual fuel operation. Smoke was reduced with all methods compared to neat vegetable oil operation. The values of smoke emission are 4.4 Bosch Smoke Units (BSU) with neat Jatropha oil, 4.1 BSU with the blend, 4 BSU with methyl ester of Jatropha oil and 3.5 BSU in the dual fuel operation. The Nitric Oxide (NO) level was lower with Jatropha oil compared to diesel. It was further reduced in dual fuel operation and the blend with methanol. Dual fuel operation showed higher hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions than the ester and the blend. Ignition delay was higher with neat Jatropha oil. It increased further with the blend and in dual fuel operation. It was reduced with the ester. Peak pressure and rate of pressure rise were higher with all the methods compared to neat Jatropha oil operation. Jatropha oil and methyl ester showed higher diffusion combustion compared to standard diesel operation. However, dual fuel operation resulted in higher premixed combustion. On the whole it is concluded that transesterification of vegetable oils and methanol induction can significantly enhance the performance of a vegetable oil fuelled diesel engine.
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TL;DR: In this article, a review of the production, characterization and current statuses of vegetable oil and biodiesel as well as the experimental research work carried out in various countries is presented.
Abstract: The increasing industrialization and motorization of the world has led to a steep rise for the demand of petroleum-based fuels. Petroleum-based fuels are obtained from limited reserves. These finite reserves are highly concentrated in certain regions of the world. Therefore, those countries not having these resources are facing energy/foreign exchange crisis, mainly due to the import of crude petroleum. Hence, it is necessary to look for alternative fuels which can be produced from resources available locally within the country such as alcohol, biodiesel, vegetable oils etc. This paper reviews the production, characterization and current statuses of vegetable oil and biodiesel as well as the experimental research work carried out in various countries. This paper touches upon well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions, well-to-wheel efficiencies, fuel versatility, infrastructure, availability, economics, engine performance and emissions, effect on wear, lubricating oil etc. Ethanol is also an attractive alternative fuel because it is a renewable bio-based resource and it is oxygenated, thereby providing the potential to reduce particulate emissions in compression-ignition engines. In this review, the properties and specifications of ethanol blended with diesel and gasoline fuel are also discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the factors critical to the potential commercial use of these blends. The effect of the fuel on engine performance and emissions (SI as well as compression ignition (CI) engines), and material compatibility is also considered. Biodiesel is methyl or ethyl ester of fatty acid made from virgin or used vegetable oils (both edible and non-edible) and animal fat. The main resources for biodiesel production can be non-edible oils obtained from plant species such as Jatropha curcas (Ratanjyot), Pongamia pinnata (Karanj), Calophyllum inophyllum (Nagchampa), Hevca brasiliensis (Rubber) etc. Biodiesel can be blended in any proportion with mineral diesel to create a biodiesel blend or can be used in its pure form. Just like petroleum diesel, biodiesel operates in compression ignition (diesel) engine, and essentially require very little or no engine modifications because biodiesel has properties similar to mineral diesel. It can be stored just like mineral diesel and hence does not require separate infrastructure. The use of biodiesel in conventional diesel engines result in substantial reduction in emission of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate. This review focuses on performance and emission of biodiesel in CI engines, combustion analysis, wear performance on long-term engine usage, and economic feasibility.
2,628 citations
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TL;DR: The most important variables affecting methyl ester yield during the transesterification reaction are the molar ratio of alcohol to vegetable oil and the reaction temperature as discussed by the authors, which is the commonly used alcohol in this process, due to its low cost.
Abstract: Fossil fuel resources are decreasing daily. Biodiesel fuels are attracting increasing attention worldwide as blending components or direct replacements for diesel fuel in vehicle engines. Biodiesel fuel typically comprises lower alkyl fatty acid (chain length C14–C22), esters of short-chain alcohols, primarily, methanol or ethanol. Various methods have been reported for the production of biodiesel from vegetable oil, such as direct use and blending, microemulsification, pyrolysis, and transesterification. Among these, transesterification is an attractive and widely accepted technique. The purpose of the transesterification process is to lower the viscosity of the oil. The most important variables affecting methyl ester yield during the transesterification reaction are the molar ratio of alcohol to vegetable oil and the reaction temperature. Methanol is the commonly used alcohol in this process, due in part to its low cost. Methyl esters of vegetable oils have several outstanding advantages over other new-renewable and clean engine fuel alternatives. Biodiesel fuel is a renewable substitute fuel for petroleum diesel or petrodiesel fuel made from vegetable or animal fats; it can be used in any mixture with petrodiesel fuel, as it has very similar characteristics, but it has lower exhaust emissions. Biodiesel fuel has better properties than petrodiesel fuel; it is renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. Biodiesel seems to be a realistic fuel for future; it has become more attractive recently because of its environmental benefits. Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly fuel that can be used in any diesel engine without modification.
1,639 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an overview of the currently available information on the different process steps of the production process of bio-diesel from JCL, being cultivation and production of seeds, extraction of the oil, conversion to and the use of the biodiesel and the by-products.
Abstract: The interest in using Jatropha curcas L. (JCL) as a feedstock for the production of bio-diesel is rapidly growing. The properties of the crop and its oil have persuaded investors, policy makers and clean development mechanism (CDM) project developers to consider JCL as a substitute for fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, JCL is still a wild plant of which basic agronomic properties are not thoroughly understood and the environmental effects have not been investigated yet. Gray literature reports are very optimistic on simultaneous wasteland reclamation capability and oil yields, further fueling the Jatropha bio-diesel hype. In this paper, we give an overview of the currently available information on the different process steps of the production process of bio-diesel from JCL, being cultivation and production of seeds, extraction of the oil, conversion to and the use of the bio-diesel and the by-products. Based on this collection of data and information the best available practice, the shortcomings and the potential environmental risks and benefits are discussed for each production step. The review concludes with a call for general precaution and for science to be applied. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
1,125 citations
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TL;DR: A technique to produce biodiesel from crude Jatropha curcas seed oil (CJCO) having high free fatty acids (15%FFA) has been developed and the high FFA level of JCJO was reduced to less than 1% by a two-step pretreatment process.
Abstract: A technique to produce biodiesel from crude Jatropha curcas seed oil (CJCO) having high free fatty acids (15%FFA) has been developed. The high FFA level of JCJO was reduced to less than 1% by a two-step pretreatment process. The first step was carried out with 0.60 w/w methanol-to-oil ratio in the presence of 1% w/w H 2 SO 4 as an acid catalyst in 1-h reaction at 50 °C. After the reaction, the mixture was allowed to settle for 2 h and the methanol–water mixture separated at the top layer was removed. The second step was transesterified using 0.24 w/w methanol to oil and 1.4% w/w NaOH to oil as alkaline catalyst to produce biodiesel at 65 °C. The final yield for methyl esters of fatty acids was achieved ca. 90% in 2 h.
922 citations
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TL;DR: The use of non-edible plant oils is very significant because of the tremendous demand for edible oils as food source as mentioned in this paper, however, edible oils’ feedstock costs are far expensive to be used as fuel.
Abstract: World energy demand is expected to increase due to the expanding urbanization, better living standards and increasing population. At a time when society is becoming increasingly aware of the declining reserves of fossil fuels beside the environmental concerns, it has become apparent that biodiesel is destined to make a substantial contribution to the future energy demands of the domestic and industrial economies. There are different potential feedstocks for biodiesel production. Non-edible vegetable oils which are known as the second generation feedstocks can be considered as promising substitutions for traditional edible food crops for the production of biodiesel. The use of non-edible plant oils is very significant because of the tremendous demand for edible oils as food source. Moreover, edible oils’ feedstock costs are far expensive to be used as fuel. Therefore, production of biodiesel from non-edible oils is an effective way to overcome all the associated problems with edible oils. However, the potential of converting non-edible oil into biodiesel must be well examined. This is because physical and chemical properties of biodiesel produced from any feedstock must comply with the limits of ASTM and DIN EN specifications for biodiesel fuels. This paper introduces non-edible vegetable oils to be used as biodiesel feedstocks. Several aspects related to these feedstocks have been reviewed from various recent publications. These aspects include overview of non-edible oil resources, advantages of non-edible oils, problems in exploitation of non-edible oils, fatty acid composition profiles (FAC) of various non-edible oils, oil extraction techniques, technologies of biodiesel production from non-edible oils, biodiesel standards and characterization, properties and characteristic of non-edible biodiesel and engine performance and emission production. As a conclusion, it has been found that there is a huge chance to produce biodiesel from non-edible oil sources and therefore it can boost the future production of biodiesel.
839 citations
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References
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TL;DR: Newly developed biotechnological processes related to the exploitation of J. curcas include the genetic improvement of the plant, biological pest control, enzyme-supported oil extraction, anaerobic fermentation of the press cake and the isolation of anti-inflammatory substances and wound-healing enzymes.
Abstract: In the last few years the potential of the drought resistant tropical tree Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) for the production of biofuels and industrial products has been assessed by several groups. Various novel methods for the cultivation and genetic improvement of J. curcas have been presented. A trans-esterification process of the seed oil for its use as a biofuel was evaluated on an industrial scale (1500 t/a). Various biologically active substances have been isolated and characterized from all parts of the plant. Their mechanisms of action have been studied in relation to a great number of applications of J. curcas in traditional medicine. Substances such as phorbol esters, responsible for the toxicity of J. curcas to animals and humans, have been isolated and their molluscicidal, insecticidal and fungicidal properties have been demonstrated in lab-scale experiments and field trials. Newly developed biotechnological processes related to the exploitation of J. curcas include the genetic improvement of the plant, biological pest control, enzyme-supported oil extraction, anaerobic fermentation of the press cake and the isolation of anti-inflammatory substances and wound-healing enzymes.
746 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, transesterification of six vegetable oil samples in supercritical methanol was studied without using any catalyst, and the variables affecting the methyl ester yield during the transterification reaction, such as molar ratio of alcohol to vegetable oil and reaction temperature were investigated.
Abstract: Transesterifications of six vegetable oil samples in supercritical methanol were studied without using any catalyst. Methyl esters of vegetable oils have several outstanding advantages among other new-renewable and clean engine fuel alternatives. The variables affecting the methyl ester yield during the transesterification reaction, such as molar ratio of alcohol to vegetable oil and reaction temperature, were investigated. Compared to no. 2 Diesel fuel, all of the vegetable oils are much more viscous, while the methyl esters of vegetable oils (biodiesels) are slightly more viscous.
597 citations
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TL;DR: The development of Jatropha curcas L. as a possible energy crop in Nicaragua is discussed in this article, where a technical process for the processing of the seeds and the production of the methyl esters from the seed oil is described.
Abstract: The development of Jatropha curcas L. as a possible energy crop in Nicaragua is discussed. The energy situation in Nicaragua, the cultivation of Jatropha curcas, the description of the plant, the composition of the seeds, the specification of the oil and the expected yield of oil production is outlined. A technical process for the processing of the seeds and the production of the methyl esters from the seed oil is described. Methyl and ethyl esters from the oil of the seeds were prepared and the fuel properties of both ester fuels were determined according to existing standards for biodiesel. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.
516 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, three fatty materials, soy-bean oil, used frying oil and tallow, were transformed into two different types of biodiesel, by transesterification and amidation reactions with methanol and diethylamine respectively.
Abstract: Three fatty materials, soy-bean oil, used frying oil and tallow, were transformed into two different types of biodiesel, by transesterification and amidation reactions with methanol and diethylamine respectively. The ignition properties of these types of biodiesel were evaluated calculating the cetane index of the transesterification products, and the blending cetane number of the amide biodiesel blended with conventional diesel. Amide biodiesel enhances the ignition properties of the petrochemical diesel fuel, and it could account for the 5% market share that should be secured to biofuels by 2005.
431 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, a naturally aspirated, direct injected diesel engine was used to evaluate the performance and emissions characteristics of a crude soybean oil, a 50 percent (by volume) mixture of crude soybeans oil and no. 2 diesel fuel.
Abstract: A naturally aspirated, direct injected diesel engine was used to evaluate the performance and emissions characteristics of a crude soybean oil, a 50 percent (by volume) mixture of crude soybean oil and no. 2 diesel fuel, and a degummed soybean oil. The data were compared with previous tests conducted on the same engine using diesel fuel, crude sunflower oil and a 50 percent mixture of crude sunflower oil and diesel fuel. 18 refs.
246 citations