Bio Diesel
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is defined as the mono alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats by the process of Transesterification.
Biodiesel Production and strategy
Biodiesel, or fatty acid methyl ester, is a renewable fuel commonly produced from vegetable oil, fatty acids, acid oils and used cooked oils. This green fuel can be used as diesel, lubricant and industrial heating oil. Biodiesel is eco-friendly and bio-degradable.
When the Vegetable oil is treated with Methanol in the presence of catalyst, Biodiesel gets produced with Glycerin as byproduct.
In India and Tropical countries, Biodiesel is produced from Palm stearin/used cooked oils. Many Governments have formulated Biofuels policy and India has its own Biodiesel policy. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines that is gaining attention in the United States after reaching a considerable level of success in Europe. Its primary advantages are that it is one of the most renewable fuels currently available and it is also non-toxic and biodegradable. It can also be used directly in most diesel engines without requiring extensive engine modifications.
​
Advatages
​
-
Biodiesel can be used as automotive fuel in place of Diesel in buses, cars, trucks, etc.,
-
Government of India in its Biofuels policy formulated 5% blend initially. HPCL, BPCL, IOCL companies will have to blend 5% at their base stations and supply blended Diesel to Petrol pump outlets. In this connection all OMCs have been using biodiesel since, year 2015.
-
Biodiesel has excellent lubricating capacity and engine performance enhances with Biodiesel with no effect on mileage.
-
Biodiesel has cleansing effect and removes all carbon deposits of Engine.
-
Biodiesel contains oxygen molecules along with carbon and hydrogen whereas fossil fuels are hydrocarbons and contain carbon and hydrogen only.
-
Biodiesel does not contain Sulphur.
-
Biodiesel flash point is more than 150 degrees and so is not classified under A, B or C categories of explosives act. Biodiesel does not need explosives permission for storage.
-
The cetane number of Biodiesel is approximately 67 which indicate very good ignition quality.