Biodiesel

Biodiesel is the name for a variety of ester-based oxygenated fuels derived from natural, renewable biological sources such as vegetable oils. Biodiesel operates in compression ignition engines like petroleum diesel thereby requiring no essential engine modifications. Moreover it can maintain the payload capacity and range of conventional diesel. Biodiesel fuel can be made from new or used vegetable oils and animal fats. Unlike fossil diesel, pure biodiesel is biodegradable, nontoxic and essentially free of sulphur and aromatics. The oil extracted from the seeds of Jatropha is mixed with methanol at a proportion under a particular temperature. This solution is continuously stirred for two hours. During the above process, glycerol present in the solution separate out; which when settled can be separated out. Whatever is left after removing the glycerol is the liquid fuel. When the liquid fuel is washed twice, purified biodiesel is obtained. This could be used directly for running the engine. Advantages of biodiesel are:
. Produced from sustainable / renewable biological sources
. Ecofriendly and oxygenated fuel
. Sulphur free, less CO, HC, Particulate matter and aromatic compounds emissions
. Income to rural community
. Reduce the dependency on conventional source
. Fuel properties similar to the conventional fuel
. Used in existing unmodified diesel engines
. Reduce the expenditure on oil imports
. Non toxic, biodegradable and safety to handle
. Reduce the depletion conventional fuel resources