PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM THUMBA OIL AND ITS PERFORMANCE TESTING ON A CI ENGINE

Abstract

As the fossil fuels are depleting at a very faster rate, there is a need to find out an alternative fuel to fulfil the energy demand of the world. Biodiesel is one of the best available source to fulfil the energy demand of the world. The petroleum fuels play a very significant role in the development of industrial growth, transportation, agricultural sector and to meet many other basic human requirements. However, these fuels are limited and depleting day by day as the consumption is increasing very rapidly. Moreover, their use is alarming the environmental problems to society. Hence, there is a need of research for alternative fuels. There is a long list of trees, shrubs, and herbs available abundantly in India, which can be exploited for the production of biodiesel. Citrullus colocyntis (thumba non-edible oil), easily available in western Rajasthan can be efficiently used for production of biodiesel. In the present study, this thumba (citrullus colocyntis) oil was transesterified with methanol using potassium hydroxide as catalyst to obtain biodiesel by different production techniques and a comprehensive experimental investigation on single cylinder kiloskar engine running with biodiesel and its blends with diesel fuel was carried out for its performance and emission analysis. The results which obtained are significantly comparable to pure diesel. It show that biodiesel of thumba oil (citrullus colocyntis) can be used as alternative fuel with better performance and lower emissions compared with diesel and play a very vital role for the overall economic development of the country.