Biodiesel Production from Seed Oil Obtained from Pongamia pinnata L.

Abstract

At the present time biodiesel are the most promising source of energy as it is renewable and can accomplished the rising energy demand. Pongamia pinnata L. (commonly known as Karanj) is an evergreen tree of family Fabaceae sub family Papilioneaceae, has been recognized as a potential source of biodiesel prepared from the oil obtained from its seeds. In the present work, biodiesel fuel was prepared by alkaline-catalyzed esterification of high free fatty acids present in Karanj oil. The transestrification reaction was performed by varying practical parameters such as NaOH percentage (0.50%, 0.75%, 1%), methanol to oil ratio ( 3:1, 6:1, 9:1), and reaction temperature and time (40°C for 2h, 60°C for 2h, room temperature for 24h) at constant stirring at 150 rpm. Optimum alkaline-catalyzed transesterification was achieved using 1% NaOH as a solid alkaline catalyst with a methanol-to-oil ratio of 1:6, temperature at 600C. The yield of methyl esters from Karanja oil under the optimal condition was 92%. The biodiesel and oil contents were analysed using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analyser.  Fuel properties of the biodiesel obtained by transesterification were tested and found to meet the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Material) specifications.