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Karnataka J. Agric. Sci., 20(3): (680-683) 2007
Production of Karanja Biodiesel and its Utilization in Diesel Engine Generator
Set for Power Generation
India currently imports about 72% of its petroleum
requirements, spending more on foreign exchange. The demand
for diesel increased from 28.3 million tonnes in 1994-95 to 40
million tonnes in 2002-03 (Anon, 2003). With increasing demand
on the use of fossil fuels, stronger threat to clean environment
is being posed as burning of fossil fuels is associated with
emissions like CO2, CO, SOx, NOx and particulate matter and are
currently the dominant global source of emissions. The harmful
exhaust emissions from the engines, rapid increase in the prices
of petroleum products and uncertainties of their supply have
jointly created renewed interest among the researchers to search
for suitable alternative fuels.
Vegetable oils have the potential to be considered as
an appropriate alternative fuel as their properties are similar to
that of diesel and their use in diesel engine reduces the harmful
exhaust emission, particularly HC and CO as compared to diesel.
The major problem associated with the direct use of vegetable
oils is its high viscosity. One possible method to overcome this
problem is transesterification of potential oils to produce esters.
Most of the oils used for production of biodiesel by various
researchers were soybean, sunflower, safflower, cotton and
rapeseed. These oils are essentially edible oil in Indian context
and we are yet to attain self sufficiency in edible oil production.
There are many tree species which bear seeds rich in oil content.
The tree species of Jatropha, Karanj, Jojoba, Kusum, Mahua
etc. are found in India in semi wild conditions in the vicinity of
villages (Srivastava & Prasad, 2000). Therefore, in India there is
a scope of manufacturing biodiesel from the nonedible oil seeds.
Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils by adopting
transesterification process (Shay, 1993 and Agarwal, 2004).
Karanj is one such forest based non-edible oil with a production
potential of 135000 million tones (Srivastava and Prasad, 2000).
The biodiesel holds good promise as an alternate fuel
for diesel engines especially, during the periods of diesel
shortage. Power cutoff on the peak irrigation scheduling period
becomes more panacea in rural sector. Hence most of the farmers
are using diesel engine to meet out their requirements. The
developed biodiesel processor was used to prepare biodiesel
from karanj oil, and the biodiesel was then tested for operating
electric generator for power generation. The biodiesel processor
was developed and fabricated at College of Agril. Engg. and
Tech. MAU., Parbhani and the study was conducted in the year
2005. In biodiesel production process, the main reaction is
transesterification of vegetable oil (Shay, 1993 and Agarwal,
2004). In this process triglyceride oils are converted under heat
to methyl or ethyl esters and glycerin by alcohol and a strong
base catalyst (eg., hydroxide or lye).
Vegetable oil + Sodium or Methyl Ester + Glycerine
(Transfatty acids) potassium (Bio-diesel)
methoxide
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CH2 – OCOR CH2 - OH
CH – OCOR + 3 CH3OH 3 RCOOCH3 + CH - OH
CH2 – OCOR CH2 - OH
Product of the above reaction are bio-diesel and glycerol.
They are separated by gravity. Bio-diesel was then purified by
washing gently with water or by using bubble wash arrangement.
The important factor that affects the transesterification reaction
are the amount of methanol and sodium or potassium hydroxide,
reaction temperature and reaction time (Demirbas, 2003). A molar
ratio of 6:1 is normally used in industrial processes to obtain
methyl ester yields higher than 98% by weight, because lower
molar ratio required more reaction time. With higher molar ratios
conversion increased but recovery decreased due to poor
separation of glycerol. (Srivastava et al. 2000).
The reaction temperature influences the reaction rate
and yield of ester. Therefore, generally the reaction is conducted
close to the boiling point of methanol, 60 to 700C at atmospheric
pressure. Further increase in temperature is reported to have a
negative effect on the conversion. (Srivastava et al., 2000). Most
researches have used 0.5 to 0.1% NaOH/KOH by weight of oil
for bio-diesel production (ma et al., 1998). If acid value is greater
than 1, more alkali is required to neutralize free fatty acids. The
methyl ester conversion rate increases with the reaction time.
Different researchers have reported different reaction times for
the transesterification process. The reaction mixture was stirred
for 90 min during transesterification process. (Foidl et al., 1996).
Based on the above discussion process parameters as given in
table 1 were selected for the development of biodiesel processor.
The main reaction of bio-diesel production was carried out in
transesterification vessel. Transesterification vessel was
provided with stirring and electrical heating arrangement. Electric
heater of 1500 watt was fixed in the steel tank. The steel tank
was covered with lid having arrangement to fix thermostat for
autoheating, dial temperature gauge and stirrer. The
specification details of the biodiesel processor are presented in
table 2.
The biodiesel processor mainly consists of
1. Transesterfication vessel
2. Sodium or potassium methoxide mixing pot
3. Stirring arrangement
4. Settling arrangement
5. Bubble wash arrangement.
Biodiesel processor was used for the production of
biodiesel from karanj oil. Karanj fruits were collected from the
local area. These fruits were decorticated by using groundnut
decorticator and then seeds were separated. The oil was
extracted from the karanj seeds by using screw type expeller.
Fifteen kilogram karanj oil was taken batch wise in the
transesterfication vessel.
Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences : 20(3) , 2007

Table 1. The process selected for the transesterficiation of vegetable collected and water washed to bring down the pH of bio-diesel
oil to 7. This pure bio-diesel gives the ester yield measured on
Sl. Process parameters Process specifications
No. weight basis and important fuel properties were determined and
1. Process selected Alkali catalysed compared with the properties of raw oil and BIS standards for
transesterification biodiesel.
2. Reaction temperature 55-60 0 C
3. Oil sample used 15 kg vegetable oil of Karanj. The fuel properties such as kinematic viscosity, specific
4. Methyl alcohol used 200 ml / kg of oil. gravity and calorific value were determined for raw oil and
5. Catalyst used KOH; 0.5 to 1 per cent per kg
vegetable oil. transesterified karanj oil by using rotoviscometer,specific
6. Reaction time 1.5 hours gravity bottles and calorimeter respectively.
7. Settling time 8-8.5 hours
8. Bubble washing 8-24 hours. Bio-diesel produced by using developed biodiesel
9. Revolution of stirrer 550-700 RPM. processor and its specified blends with petroleum diesel were
used to run electrical generator for power generation. The
The oil was initially heated upto 1000C temperature for specification of the electrical generator used for the experimental
the removal of moisture. The oil was then cooled down to a studies is as given under.
temperature of 600C. The required amount of catalyst; 150 gm
Specification of electrical generator
KOH was weighed and dissolved completely in 3000 ml of
Make : Kirloskar
methanol by using stirrer provided in the potassium methoxide
pot. The alkali methoxide solution was added into the oil for Rating : 7.5 KVA
vigorous mixing by means of a mechanical stirrer fixed into the Voltage : 415 + 2.5% Volt
transesterification vessel. The required temperature of 60-650 C Rated current : 10.5 A
was maintained throughout the reaction time of 1.5 hours by Frequency : 50 HZ
means of thermostat arrangement. The reacted mixture was then
poured into the separating funnel. The mixture was allowed to Karanj biodiesel and its specified blends as B20, B40,
separate and settle overnight by gravity into a clear liquid bio- B60,B80 and B100 by volume were used to run electric generator.
diesel on the top with light brown glycerol at the bottom. The Experimental setup was arranged to measure fuel consumption
next day, the glycerol was drained off from the separating funnel per unit time, output voltage, current for each phase and the
leaving the bio-diesel at the top. The raw bio-diesel was total wattage generated for each fuel blend.

Table 2. Specification details of 15 kg capacity biodiesel processor

Sl.No.Particular Specification
1. Transesterification vessel Tank material : Stainless steel
Diameter : 38 cm
Height : 55 cm
Capacity : 15 kg
Heating arrangement : 1500 watt electric heating coil.
Themostat control regulates temperature of the mixture in transesterification vessel .
2. Sodium or potassium methoxide pot Material : Stainless steel
Diameter : 19.5 cm
Height : 22.5 mm
Capacity : 5 litre
Mixing arrangement : Mechanical
stirrer
Outlet : 1.26cm with ON/OFF valve
3. Temperature measurement Dial thermometer was fixed in transesterification vessel.
4. Stirring arrangement 0.5 HP, 1f,1440 RPM electric motor.
Diameter of driving pulley = 17.8cm
Diameter of driven pulley = 7.5 cm
Stirring RPM = 615
Belt size = B-52 canvass made.
5. Electrical arrangement Separate electrical switches were provided to regulate temperature of mixture during
transesterification process, stirring arrangement and for proper mixing of alkali
methoxide in alkali methoxide pot.
6. Settling and bubble wash arrangement Two, 20 litre capacity inverted plastic cans transparent in nature was used.

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Production of Karanja........

The overall efficiency of the generator was determined Table 5. Performance of electricity generator using specified blends
as the ratio of energy output to the energy input for each blend of karanj biodiesel for 4500 watt load
of the fuel as, Sl. Fuel Calorific Specific Fuil enerty Overall efficiency
Energy output (KWh) No. blends Value gravity input (percent)
Overall efficiency = ————————— x 100 per cent Kcal/kg Gm/hr KWH
Energy input (KWh) 1.B20* 8919.7 0.848 1602.4 16.62 27.07
2. B40 9210.7 0.856 1621.8 17.37 25.90
Energy output was considered as the load given to 7.5
3. B60 9501.6 0.864 1598.4 17.66 25.48
KVA generator. The electrical generator was run on constant
4. B80 9792.6 0.869 1485.25 16.91 25.30
three phase loading conditions of 4500 watt and 6000 watt on
each biodiesel blend. Energy input was measured in terms of 5. B100** 8628.7 0.867 1659.78 16.65 27.02
energy cosumed per hour for the production of specific power. 6. D0*** 10083.6 0.846 1656 19.41 23.18
The overall efficiency of karanj biodiesel blends were compared * B 20 Means 20 per cent biodiesel and 80 per cent petroleum
with the petroleum diesel. diesel
** B 100 Means 100 per cent biodiesel
Experimental studies on the developed bio-diesel *** DO Means 100 per cent petroleum diesel
processor for the production of bio-diesel from karanj oil was
carried out. About 15 kg of karanj oil were transesterified to be 27.84 mm2/sec which reduced to 5.5 mm2/sec( at 380C
batchwise using 3.0 lit of methanol and 0.15 kg of KOH at a temperature) after transesterification process . The reduction in
constant temperature of 600C. The reaction time of 90 min was viscosity during transesterification process reduces the problem
allowed in order to facilitate the completion of reaction. The associated with using raw oil in the engine. The problems viz.
same experiment was repeated thrice for each batch of karanj oil choking of fuel supply line, improper fuel spray pattern,
to determine the total and average yield of bio-diesel and incomplete combustion of fuel etc. were overcome after the use
glycerin. The results in terms of bio-diesel and glycerin recovery of esterified vegetable oil. Specific gravity of karanj biodiesel
from raw oil in transesterification process are presented in table was found to be 0.876. Overall efficiency of electrical generator
3. The average yield of karanj biodiesel was found to be 13.725 determined for specified blends of fuel on 4500 watt loading
kg. The average yield of biodiesel obtained after condition is presented in table 5. The values of overall efficiency
transesterification process was more than 90 per cent from karanj in percent for karanj biodiesel blends B20,B40,B60 and B80 were
oil. The average amount of glycerol obtained as a by-product found to be 27.07, 25.90, 25.48 and 25.30 per cent respectively.
from 15 kg of karanj oil was 1.495 kg. The overall bio-diesel However, when the generator was operated on pure karanj
recovery by using the developed bio-diesel processor was more biodiesel, 27.02 per cent operational efficiency was achieved.
than 90 per cent. It was found that the developed bio-diesel The overall efficiencies of the generator for all the blends of
processor was capable of preparing the vegetable oil esters karanj biodiesel were found more than the generator operating
(bio-diesel) sufficient in quantity to run commonly used farm on pure petrodiesel. The overall efficiency of electrical generator
engines. The fuel properties of petroleum diesel and karanj on B20 and B100 fuel proportion were found more than other
biodiesel are presented in table 4. The calorific value of karanj blending proportions of B40, B60 and B80. As compared with
biodiesel was found to be 38.01 MJ/kg,which is less than that of diesel fuel, overall efficiencies of the generator were found more
diesel. From the table 5 and 6 it is obvious that as the percentage on each specified blend of karanj biodiesel and diesel. Overall
of biodiesel in the blend increased, the calorific value also efficiency of generator for 4500 watt loading condition and for
increased. The kinematic viscosity for raw karanj oil was found specified blends of karanj biodiesel were found in the range of
25-27 per cent. When the generator was fueled with 100 per
Table 3. Biodiesel and glycerin recovery of karanj oil cent karanj biodiesel fuel, its consumption was more than the
Particulars Karanj oil (kg) diesel and found to be 1659.78 gm/hr. However, for specified
Biodiesel Glycerin blends of karanj and petrodiesel B20,B40,B60 and B80 the fuel
Batch 1 13.725 1.425 consumption were found less than petrodiesel and pure
Batch 2 13.800 1.545 biodiesel. The engine RPM was found to be constant on each
Batch 3 13.650 1.515 fuel blends. Overall efficiency of electrical generator working
Mean 13.725 1.495 on karanj biodiesel for 6000 watt load was determined.The values
of the overall efficiencies of electricity generator working on
specified blends of karanj biodiesel with petrodiesel are
Table 4. Fuel properties of diesel and biodiesel
presented in table 6. The overall efficiencies for blending
Sl. Fuel Calorific value Specific Viscosity of proportions of B20, B40, B60 and B80 were found to be 37.03,
No. type value gravity transesterified
oil at 380C, mm2/sec
35.82, 35.75 and 35.50 per cent respectively. Overall efficiency of
the generator working on 100 per cent karanj biodiesel and
1. Diesel 42.21 0.828 2.0-5.0
petrodiesel were 37.92 and 33.78 per cent respectively. The
2. Karanj biodiesel 36.12 0.876 5.5 efficiency of the generator working on pure biodiesel and blends
3 Karanj oil 34.00 0.909 27.84 with diesel for 6000 watt loading condition were found to be

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Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences : 20(3) , 2007

Table 6. Performance of electricity generator using specified blends of calorific values of diesel, karanj biodiesel are 10083.6and 9080.2
karanj biodiesel for 6000 watt load kcal/kg respectively. Thus calorific values of karanj biodiesel
and its blends were found less than the diesel fuel. Further, the
Sl. Fuel Calorific Specific Fuel energy input Overall
increase in overall efficiency of electrical generator fueled with
No. blends value gravity efficiency
biodiesel and its specified blends with diesel may be due to the
kcal/kg gm/hr KWH (per cent)
complete combustion of fuel in the engine. Since biodiesel is an
1. B20 8919.7 0.848 1562.36 16.20 37.03 oxygenated fuel and it contains 10-11% oxygen which improves
combustion in the engine. Based on the results of this study,
2. B40 9210.7 0.856 1564.06 16.75 35.82
the following specific conclusions were drawn. Biodiesel
3. B60 9501.6 0.864 1519.44 16.78 35.75
processor was developed for the production of biodiesel from
4. B80 9792.6 0.869 1485.25 16.90 35.50
edible as well as nonedible oil by using alkali catalyzed
5. B100 8628.7 0.867 1576.8 15.82 37.92
transesterification process. The maximum ester yield was
6. D0 10083.6 0.846 1490.04 17.46 33.78
obtained by using 20 per cent methanol, 1.0 per cent KOH at
600C reaction temperature and 90 min reaction time.The fuel
properties of karanj biodiesel viz. kinematic viscosity, specific
more than the diesel-fueled engine. Thus, it was observed that gravity were found within the limit of BIS standard. After
the overall efficiency of B20 and B100 blend proportions were esterification of karanj oil, the kinematic viscosity and specific
found more than other blending proportions. The engine was gravity were reduced to 5.5 mm2/sec, 0.876 from 27.84 mm2/sec,
run more efficiently on B20 and B100 fuel proportions for the 0.912 respectively. The overall efficiency of the 7.5 KVA electrical
production of 6000 watt electricity. The generator was operating generator for 4500 watt loading condition fueled with specified
very smoothly without any noice and knocking on pure biodiesel blends of karanj biodiesel were found in the range of 25-27 per
and its blends. The performance of electrical generator for cent. The overall efficiency of the generator for 6000 watt loading
production of 6000 watt electricity in terms of operational conditions was improved for the biodiesel blends of karanj and
efficiency were found better on B20 and B100 karanj fuel blends found in the range of 35-38 per cent. Biodiesel blends B20, B40
as compared with 4500 watt loading conditions. In all the cases, and pure diesel B100 produced more power and overall efficiency
overall efficiency of the generator set was found maximum on was found maximum than diesel fueled generator due to complete
B20 and B100 blends of karanj biodiesel blends with reference combustion and reduction in calorific value of the fuel. Biodiesel
to the generator operating purely on petrodiesel. The increase can be used as an alternate and non-conventional fuel to run all
in overall efficiency was due to the less energy input to the types of C.I. engine. Electricity can be generated by using
engine as compared to the diesel energy input. Energy input to biodiesel fuel in electrical generator without sacrifying the power
the generator is related with the calorific value of the fuel. The out put.

College of Agriculture Engineering & Technology S. R. KALBANDE

Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani, India. S. N. PAWAR
S. B. JADHAV

(Received: October, 2006)

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