Preparation of biodiesel from crude oil of Pongamia pinnata.

Karmee SK, Chadha A.

Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Biotechnology,
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai.

Biodiesel was prepared from the non-edible oil of Pongamia pinnata
by transesterification of the crude oil with methanol in the
presence of KOH as catalyst. A maximum conversion of 92% (oil to
ester) was achieved using a 1:10 molar ratio of oil to methanol at
60 degrees C. Tetrahydrofuran (THF), when used as a co-solvent
increased the conversion to 95%. Solid acid catalysts viz. Hbeta-
Zeolite, Montmorillonite K-10 and ZnO were also used for this
transesterification. Important fuel properties of methyl esters of
Pongamia oil (Biodiesel) compare well (Viscosity = 4.8 Cst @ 40
degrees C and Flash point = 150 degrees C) with ASTM and German
biodiesel standards.
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