Application of an Ecofriendly Heterogeneous Catalyst (CaO) for Synthesis of Biodiesel and its Characterization on VCR Engine

Waste crab shells after calcination have been used as a nonconventional heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel synthesis from pongamia oil. Crab shell was calcined in muffle furnace at 1100 °C for 2hrs. The calcined catalyst was characterized on X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A high biodiesel yield and conversion was obtained at 10:1 (alcohol/oil) molar ratio, 3.00wt% crab shell calcined catalyst, and 2.00hr reaction time at 65oC with 600rpm stirring speed. Conversion of pongamia oil feedstock to its respective fatty acid methyl esters was identified on a thin layer chromatography (TLC). The quality parameters, such as density, viscosity, calorific value, oxidation number, flash point, fire point cetane number, elements like C,H,O etc were analyzed as per ASTM -6751 standard. Further the same biodiesel was preceded for emission analysis on single cylinder variable compression dieselengine with various blending ratios as well load. Blends of KB00% (diesel), KB10%, KB20%, KB30%, and KB100% were prepared at 400C. The parameters like Oxides of nitrogen (NOx), Carbon monoxide (CO), Hydro carbon (HC) etc were studied and compared with fissile fuel. Result showed that heterogeneous calcined methyl ester of pongamia B20% blend shows lower emissions as compared with running diesel fuel.