Preparation of biodiesel from crude oil of Pongamia pinnata
Abstract
Biodiesel was prepared from the non-edible oil of Pongamia pinnata by transesterification of the crude oil with methanol in the presence of KOH as catalyst. A maximum conversion of 92% (oil to ester) was achieved using a 1:10 molar ratio of oil to methanol at 60 °C. Tetrahydrofuran (THF), when used as a co-solvent increased the conversion to 95%. Solid acid catalysts viz. Hβ-Zeolite, Montmorillonite K-10 and ZnO were also used for this transesterification. Important fuel properties of methyl esters of Pongamia oil (Biodiesel) compare well (Viscosity = 4.8 Cst @ 40 °C and Flash point = 150 °C) with ASTM and German biodiesel standards.
- Publication:
-
Bioresource Technology
- Pub Date:
- 2005
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.biortech.2004.12.011
- Bibcode:
- 2005BiTec..96.1425K
- Keywords:
-
- Pongamia pinnata;
- Biodiesel;
- Non-edible oil;
- Base catalyst;
- Solid acids;
- Transesterification