Konferensartikel

Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME); a renewable liquid biofuel popularly known as biodiesel; is emerging as a suitable replacement to common diesel fuel (CDF) in unmodified Compression Ignition (CI) engine. Present article reports the development of a process to reduce the operating cost during the conversion of vegetable oil to biodiesel through the application 1kW sonication techniques at various stages of the composite process. Around 98 % yield was achieved by employing minimum quantity of excess alcohol and alkali catalyst in transesterification reaction. After the completion of reaction; instantaneous separation of FAME from glycerol is a noticeable advantage. Its reaction parameters such as time and temperature have been reduced drastically. The ultrasound energy had also produced excellent benefit during purification of crude FAME through the efficient removal of mono and diglyceride from FAME. The analysis of the products was done as per ASTM methods and its fuel characteristics were evaluated using a research engine.

FAME; Biodiesel; Transesterification; Ultrasonication; Compression Ignition engine