Biodiesel production from Karanja oil and its use in diesel engine: A review

Biodiesel is produced from renewable resources like vegetable oils and animal fats. It can use as a fuel in diesel engine by blending with diesel or in pure form. Biodiesel blended diesel fuel emits less harmful gasses compare to diesel fuel. India is developing country where more than 70% of petroleum products are import. Biodiesel production from local resources provides energy security; reduce import bill, generate employment and reduced emissions of harmful gasses. Production of biodiesel from edible oil is not economical for India due to its higher price. Various non-edible oil seeds like Jatropha, Karanja, Mahua, Sal, Neem etc. are widely available in India. It is less costly compared to edible oils. Among them, Karanja has a potential to be used as a basic feedstock for the production of biodiesel. Karanja trees can grow on sides of roads, canal and boundary portion of agricultural lands with minimum care. Its seeds contain 27-39% of the oil. Transesterification, Pyrolysis, Microemulsion and Blending are four primary methods for the production of biodiesel. The yield of 97% of Karanja oil methyl ester (KOME) was obtained from Karanja oil (KO) by transesterification process at 65 degrees C using 1 wt% of KOH, 6:1 M ratio of methanol to oil in 2 h. The 20% blend of KOME with diesel (B20) is the most optimized blend for a diesel engine. The Brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and Brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of B20 is comparable to diesel. Emissions of CO, HC and smoke are reduced and NOx is increased with increasing blending of KOME with diesel. This paper focuses on the production methods of KOME, parameters that affect the yield, engine performance by pure KOME and its various blends with diesel, economic aspects, environmental considerations and sustainability of Karanja oil as an Indian perspective.