Seminar

on
Biodiesel

Submitted by
G. Arun Kumar
 Content

• Introduction
• What is Biodiesel?
• Benefits of Biodiesel
• Environmental Issues
• Problems brought by Biodiesel
• Biodiesel Samples
• Biodiesel Background
• The Future of Biodiesel
• Conclusion
 Introduction

• Biodiesel can be operated in any diesel engine with little or no

impact to the fuel system.
• Biodiesel has a solvent effect which may release deposits
accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel
storage.
• The release of deposits may clog filters.
• Biodiesel can be used as a pure fuel or blended with petroleum in
any ratio.
 What is Biodiesel?
• Alternative fuel for diesel engines
• Made from vegetable oil or animal fat
• Meets health effect testing (CAA)
• Lower emissions, High flash point (>300F), Safer
• Biodegradable, Essentially non-toxic.
• Chemically, biodiesel molecules are mono-alkyl esters produced usually
from triglyceride esters
Fatty Acid
Alcohol
FA Glycerin

FA FA
FA Biodiesel

Vegetable Oil
 Biodiesel can be used in existing Diesel
Engines

• Pure Biodiesel (B100) or blended with petroleum diesel (B20, BXX).

• Rudolf Diesel: peanut oil.
• Little or no engine modifications
• Use existing fuel distribution network.
 Benefits of Biodiesel

• High cetane number (average 45,8-56,9 units)

• High flash point (above +100).
• Good lubricating property.
• Absence of sulfur and aromatic hydrocarbons.
• Low toxicity of emissions.
• Virtually complete biodegradability (99% bio-diesel is
destroyed in water or soil for 28 days).
• Zero balance of greenhouse gases.
 Environmental Issues
• Burning fossil fuels increases atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide
• Fossil fuels are a finite resource

30% Increase

Graph taken from USF Oceanography webpage

 Problems brought by Biodiesel

• Certain biodiesel gels easily under cold

temperature
• Deforestation for plantation
• Degrades rubber in old cars
• Synthetic rubbers that are resistant
Biodiesel Samples
 Biodiesel Challenges

• Cold Weather Operation (Chemistry)

• Producing enough feedstock oil to replace a large portion of petroleum
(biology, chemistry, physics, economics)
• Engine and emissions optimization (chemistry, physics)
 Biodiesel Background
• Four main production
methods
• Direct use and blending
• Micro emulsions
• Thermal cracking
• Transesterification
• Transesterification
• Most common production
method
• Uses vegetable oils and
animal fats as feed stocks
• The reaction of a fat or oil
with an alcohol to form
esters (biodiesel) and
glycerol
 The Future of Biodiesel
• Should be considered for use as an alternative and not a primary fuel.
• Short and long term environmental benefits will be worthwhile
• Storage Issues with Stability and Transportation issues with high cost of delivered fuel
compared to fossil fuels
• Fuel-supply reliability
• Lack of understanding of environmental impact - NOx emissions
• Complexity of biomass-power infrastructure compared to known well established coal and
natural gas markets
 Conclusion

• Biodiesel is eco-friendly.
• Biodiesel is clean burning alternative fuel.
• Biodiesel contain no petroleum, but can be blended with
conventional diesel fuel.
• These fuel can be used in any diesel engine without any
modification.
• Biodiesel is degradable , non toxic and free from sulphur and
lead.
Thank You