Biodiesel production utilizing diverse sources, classification of oils and their esters, performance and emission characteristics: A research

Abstract

The ever increasing utilization of energy has resulted in the nation becoming progressively more dependent on fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas. The mounting prices of crude oil and natural gas and their impending paucity have raised qualms about the security of energy supply in future, which has severe consequence on the augmentation of a countries economy. The alternative to fossil fuels are the non-conventional energy sources, they are plentiful, renewable, pollution-free and eco-friendly. Therefore, the need to utilize renewable energy sources like solar energy, wind, tide, biodiesel has publicized its significance. Biodiesel is one of the unsurpassed resources that have come to the cutting edge recently. In this article, highly rated research journals on biofuels were referred and a detailed assessment has been conducted to emphasize different aspects to biodiesel engineering. These aspects include biodiesel feed stocks, a range of various methods used in production of biodiesel such as pyrolysis, micro emulsion, dilution and transesterification (alcoholysis). The study was extended to understand the effect of biodiesel blend magnitude on the performance of engine parameters such as brake power (BP), brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and fuel properties like cloud point, flash point, calorific value, kinematic viscosity, density, and cetane number as well as the economic viability, emission characteristics and finally Greenhouse gas emissions.