Base Catalyzed Transesterification of Brassica alba Oil and its Association with Mineralogy to Environment Friendly Biodiesel

Abstract

In present research, Brassica alba is studied for biodiesel potential. Crude oil recovery from seeds of B. alba is 36 %. Conversion of crude vegetable oil to biodiesel was 82, 83 and 85 % at molar ratio 1:6, 1:7 and 1:8, respectively. Fuel properties i.e. specific gravity of biodiesel (100 %) 0.992 and kinematic viscosity 6.71 were close to ASTM biodiesel standards. The other fuel properties like flash point, sulfur contents, distillation IBP and colour comparison showed similar behaviour and met the ASTM standards. Engine performance in terms of fuel consumption, efficiency and power outputs by using biodiesel (100 %) and biodiesel blends (B20, B10, B5) were similar to mineral diesel, which shows the practical and environment friendly performance in terms of these parameters. From the results of present study, it is concluded that this species is potential source for biodiesel. It is recommended that this species must be cultivated in soils with calcite and quartz minerals on large scale for biodiesel production and implementation to overcome the energy crisis.