Physico-Chemical and Tribological of <i>Argemone</i> Biodesel Sunthesized Using Microwave Techinquee

Abstract

Microwave technique was applied for the synthesis of Argemone biodiesel from Argemone oil under defined experimental conditions. The method presented has the potential to synthesize quality biofuel in timeefficient manner. It also results in higher yield of biodiesel while decreasing the reaction time by almost 75% when compared with conventional heating method. The biodiesel produced was tested for various physico-chemical properties and found to maintain the quality as recommended by various specifications. Reduction in the wear scar diameter of low-sulphur diesel from 432 to 256 m at a very low concentration of biodiesel (1.0%) was an additional advantage to produce biofuel. Keywords: Argemone, biodiesel, microwave technique, physico-chemical properties, tribological behaviour, wear scar.BIODIESEL has emerged as one of the most energyefficient and environment-friendly alternatives in recent times to satisfy the future energy needs. It can be directly used as a fuel with some engine modifications, or blended with petroleum diesel for use in diesel engines with few or no modifications [1][2][3][4][5][6] . The European Union has issued a directive (2003/30/EC), which mandates the use of biofuels ranging from 5.75% in 2010 to 20.00% in 2020 (calculated on the basis of energy content) for all transportation fuels marketed within the member states 7 . Biodiesel can be produced from the various edible and non-edible feedstocks as rapeseed [8][9][10] , soybean 11,12 , oil palm 13,14 , coconut 15,16 , sunflower 17,18 , Jatropha curcas 19,20 and Argemone maxicana 21 . In India, non-edible oils are the most suitable feedstock for biodiesel since the demand for edible oil exceeds the domestic supply. Much of the work has been carried out with J. curcas, but A. maxicana is comparatively less studied. A. maxicana plant is widely distributed in many parts of the world and is tolerant to drought and poor soil. Its seeds contain 22-36% of non-edible oil. Therefore, it has the potential to be utilized as a major feedstock for the biodiesel programme.Although trans-esterification of oils to produce biodiesel by conventional heating is a well-established method, it requires longer reaction times with higher energy inputs and losses to the ambient 22 , which result in the higher cost of biodiesel. Microwave-assisted trans-esterification, is, however, a relatively new, energy-efficient and quick technology to produce biodiesel from different feedstocks [23][24][25] . Patil et al. 24 produced biodiesel from Camelina sativa oil using different methods of heating such as conventional, supercritical and microwave. Among these, the microwave method proved to be superior due to its inherent advantages of shorter reaction time and lower energy requirements. Along with reducing the reaction time and increasing the biodiesel yield, the microwave method also significantly reduced the product separation time. The present study is focused on the utilization of inexpensive A. maxicana oil for biodiesel (ABD) synthesis using microwave energy...

Feasibility of the Production of Argemone pleiacantha Ultrasound-Assisted Biodiesel for Temperate and Tropical Marginal Areas

“…Fatima et al tested A. ochroleuca, reaching the biodiesel conversion of 91% (w/w) after a 120 min reaction, at 65 • C and using a 7:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio [27]. Agarwal et al reported a significant reaction time reduction (almost 75%) using microwave-assisted heterogeneously catalyzed transesterification compared with conventional transesterification [28].…”