Course: Biotechnology (BM-422)

Title of the Research Paper:

Optimization of Bauhinia parviflora biodiesel production for higher yield and its compatibility
assessment with water and Di-tert-butyl peroxide emulsion. (2023)

Main Idea and Objectives:

OBJECTIVE:

 To make biofuel by using bauhinia tress seed waste

 To assess its compatibility in the diesel engine blended with water and Di-tert-butyl peroxide.

MAIN IDEA:

 The main objective of this research study is to produce such environmentally efficient and
sustainable biofuel which eradicates the issues caused by the burning of fossil fuels which
lead to a number of atmospheric hazards and the shortage of these fuels to be used in
transportation and power generation in the long run.
 To deal with this much needed concern, this research paper has used the seeds of Bauhinia
Parviflora as the feedstock for the biodiesel which can be regenerated to account to its
sustainability as well as observe the atmospheric impacts of the produced biodiesel along
with checking its compatibility with water and Di-tert-butyl peroxide emulsion in the fuel.

Introduction:
 The usage of fossil fuels has been increasing to a significant extent and this rise leads to a
number of environmental problems due to the burning of fossil fuels as well as the
shortage of these fuels.
 In order to eradicate the problem stated in the above bullet point, a replacement is
considered in this research paper in the form of Biodiesel in order to meet the shortage
and to reduce the negative environmental effects of fossil fuels.
 Each category of biofuel has a feedstock, on the basis of which they are categorized into
three classes. In this research study, Bauhinia Parviflora seeds are considered as the
feedstock for the production of biodiesel.
 Biodiesel’s performance has been studied extensively and has been reported to reduce
hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke emission in the ultra-low sulfur
diesel.
 For eliminating the emission related issues and improving the energy performance of
biodiesel, as the emulsion of water in the fuel suppresses the oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)
formation during combustion due to the latent heat absorption of water.

Methods:
 Raw Bauhinia parviflora seeds were collected and dried using sunlight.
 Methanol, sodium phosphate, sorbitan monooleate, and DTBP were used as
substances for the transesterification process.
 A mechanical extractor was used to extract crude oil from the seeds.
 The crude oil was heated to 50°C and mixed with a catalyst and alcohol.
 Transesterification process parameters included a stirring speed of 500 rpm, specific
temperatures, and reaction times.
  The methyl ester was separated from glycerin and the catalyst, followed by washing
and drying.
 Optimal conditions for a higher yield rate of BPB production were determined
through parameter optimization.
 FTIR spectra analysis and gas chromatography were used to determine the chemical
composition and fatty acid composition of BPB, respectively.
 Test fuels were prepared by blending pure BPB with ULSD, water, and sorbitan
monooleate surfactant.
 Physicochemical properties of the test fuels were measured, including density,
viscosity, calorific value, flashpoint, and cetane number.
 Experimental test setup involved a single-cylinder diesel engine connected to
emission gas analyzers and a smoke meter.
 Performance and environmental parameters of the test fuels were evaluated, such as
BSFC, BTE, HC, CO, NOx, and smoke emissions.
 Uncertainty analysis was conducted to account for experimental errors in the
measurements.

Results and Findings:

The engine performance and the environmental impact of the developed biodiesel was studied, in
order to achieve the objectives of this research study.

 The output achieved showed that the biodiesel produced from bauhinia parviflora
showed a reduction in the fuel consumption with the development of 1kiloWatt power
output at significantly higher engine loads due to the competent combustion.
 The lower calorific value of bauhinia parviflora biodiesel production leads to a significant
increase in the Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) of the engine even when the
oxygenated biodiesel increases consumption.
 Whereas, for the water-emulsified fuel, the Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) also
increases to a certain extent and also lowers the formation and emission of
hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide at lower engine loads

Whereas, as for the environmental impact of this biodiesel

 The parameters of HC, CO and NOx emission are directly proportional to the fuel
consumption rate of the engine. The emissions of these substances reduce gradually as
the engine load increases due to the decrease in the BSFC.
 Based on the Zel’dovich principle, low temperature combustion leads to a lower Nox
formation as the oxygenated biodiesel ensures a fully effective consumption which gives
rise to a higher Nox formation
 As for the smoke production, it is caused due to the incomplete combustion of the
hydrocarbons present in the fuel which is reduced to a greater extent in oxygenated
biodiesels due to the effective and complete combustion which is further reduced
greatly in water-emulsified fuels due to the presence of enhanced air-fuel mixing rate.
whereas this smoke formation is further reduced when di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) is
emulsified in the biofuel as it accelerates the combustion process and causes the
reduction in smoke formation.
Conclusion:
 This study focused on optimizing the transesterification process to achieve a higher yield
of BPB (biodiesel). The addition of water and DTBP was found to enhance emissions
control and ignition quality.
 Analysis confirmed that the prepared BPB consists of hydrocarbon-based components
and converted fatty acids into methyl esters.
 The measured fuel properties were found to be within the prescribed limits.
Performance assessment in an engine showed a 9.1% improvement in brake thermal
efficiency (BTE) when blending water and DTBP with BPB + ULSD (ultra-low sulfur diesel).
 As for the environmental effects of this produced biodiesel, the HC, CO and NOx
emissions were also reduced to a greater extent and can be modified by the emulsion of
biofuel with water and DTBP
 The study is highly convincing and investing a lot towards biotechnological
advancements. Optimizing transesterification parameters is an effective method to
increase BPB yield, while incorporating water and DTBP emulsion into BPB is evident for
creating a reliable energy source which would be sustainable as well.