A Review on the Production of Bio-Diesel Fuel

Based on Biomass Material

Harwinder Lal1, Mandeep Singh2
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Ramgarhia Institute of Engineering & Technology, Phagwara
2
S.B.C.M.S. Institute of Technology, Attalgarh Mukerian, Hoshiarpur, India
1

International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering

Volume 3, Issue 3, May-June, 2015, pp. 07-13
ISSN Online: 2347-5188 Print: 2347-8772, DOA : 05052015
IASTER 2014, www.iaster.com

ABSTRACT
In recent years, there has been a steadily increasing in the amount of solid wastes because of the
increasing human population and urbanization. Solids are includes industrial waste, agricultural
waste, forest waste and waste bio-products. Fossil fuel has been play important role for preparation
of biomass and produced machinery energy due to its high heating power. Bio-energy has been
produced total 10% participation of energy of global energy production, energy produced from the
source of biomass: plants, animal, and organic waste. The use of bio-energy ranges from traditional
energy in rural populations to the use of liquid bio-fuels in the transport sector. Bio-fuels have the
potential to be significantly less expensive than gasoline and other fossil fuels. Biodiesel has been
some advantages as such it is a renewable energy source unlike petroleum based diesel. An excessive
production of soybeans in the world makes it an economic way to utilize this surplus for
manufacturing the biodiesel fuel. Material used for the production of bio-diesel Peanut oil , Rapeseed
oil, olive oil, Soyaben oil, coconut oil, Linseed oil, cotton seed oil. The US and EU standards are the
most referred standards followed by standards from other bio-fuel producing nations. Basically, the
majority of the standards have similar limits for most of the parameters (sulfated ash, free glycerol
content, copper strip corrosion, acid number etc.)

Keywords: Bio-Fuel, Bio-Diesel, Renewable, Organic Waste, Biomass.

1. INTRODUCTION
Fossil fuels are widely used as transportation and machinery energy due to its high heating power,
availability and quality combustion characteristics, but its reverse is depleting day by day. The diesel
engine was Dr. Rudolph Diesel and it was run by peanut oil and the Paris Exposition in the year 1900.
It has been establish from then that, high temperature of diesel is able to run variety of oils.[1] Today
diesel-powered vehicles represents about one-third of the vehicle sold in Europe and United States
and it is bring predicted that the sales of diesel run automotives will rise from 4% in 2004 to 11% by
2012. As an alternative for petro diesel in the transportation sector, biodiesel can easily become the
crucial solution for environmental problems. First, it does not require any engine modifications;
second it reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emission substantially and finally it also improve lubricity.
These factors has make biodiesel usage more adaptable and attractive to current energy scenario.[2]
Bio-energy accounts for approximately 10% of global energy production, and can be defined as energy
produced from any source of biomass; i.e. plants, animals, and organic waste. The use of bio-energy
ranges from traditional energy in rural populations to the use of liquid bio-fuels in the transport sector.

International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering

Volume-3, Issue-3, May-June, 2015, www.iaster.com

ISSN

(O) 2347-5188
(P) 2347-8772

Although bio-fuels can in principle be produced from any organic source, most of the current or first
generation bio-fuels are based on food crops. 98% of current bio-fuel production involves the
production of ethanol from sugars and biodiesel from oil seeds. The main crops used in ethanol
production are sugar cane and maize, with oil palm and rapeseed most often used to produce biodiesel.[3]
Different feed stocks are more or less efficient in the production of bio-energy and some feed stocks
also provide useful co-products such as oilcake as animal feed. In discussions on the first generation
bio-fuels, the type of feedstock used is pivotal because of the wide variety used. Second generation
bio-fuels, where advanced technology is used to break down lignin and cellulose to convert biomass
and waste products into fuel, are currently in development; as are third generation bio-fuels
produced from algae.[4] The exact criteria that result in the labeling of first, second, and third
generation bio-fuels are not clearly defined. In this report, first generation bio-fuels will be taken to
mean any bio-fuel currently in large scale production.
It is generally agreed that these targets and financial incentives are behind the current and likely future
increase in bio-fuel production. [5] The influence of such policies can be underlined through modeling
of demand under different policy measures. It has been suggested, for example, that ethanol
production would be reduced by 30% and biodiesel by more than 50% without policy measures; with
OECD projections similarly suggesting that the removal of bio-fuel policies and subsidies would
reduce ethanol production in the US by 20% and by 80% in Canada and Europe. In some countries
that do not currently have targets, subsidies or policies for bio-fuel production for domestic use,
production is driven by the export market. [6] This is particularly the case in Indonesia, where 18
million hectares of land is already used for palm oil production, and further large scale plantations are
planned. However, several African countries are beginning to explore the potential of domestic biofuel targets, as are a number of palm oil producers. [7] If such policies were to be developed, this
would further increase demand for bio-fuel production. Thailand, for example, is developing targets
equivalent to 10% blend of biodiesel by 2012. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has
emphasized the need for the adoption of adequate policy frameworks to ensure that the production of
bio-fuels is sustainable. Parties are urged to promote sustainable production and use, taking into
account the full life cycle and acting in accordance with the precautionary principle. However, current
targets appear to have been developed with little consideration for the environmental consequences of
bio-fuel production.[7]
Bio-fuel Advantages of These Plant and Animal Based Fuels[8]

Bio-fuels have the potential to be significantly less expensive than gasoline and other fossil
fuels.
Biodiesel fuel is a renewable energy source unlike petroleum based diesel.
An excessive production of soybeans in the world makes it an economic way to utilize this
surplus for manufacturing the biodiesel fuel.
One of the main bio diesel fuel advantages is that it is less polluting than petroleum diesel.
The lack of sulfur in100% bio diesel extend the life of catalytic converters.
It can also be blundered with other energy resources and oil.
Bio diesel fuel is also be used existing oil hitting system and diesel engines without making
any alteration.
It can also be disturbed through existing diesel fuel pumps, which is another bio diesel
advantages over alternative fuels.
The lubricating property of the bio-diesel may lengthen the lifetime of engines.

International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering

Volume-3, Issue-3, May-June, 2015, www.iaster.com

ISSN

(O) 2347-5188
(P) 2347-8772

Disadvantages of Bio Diesel Fuel[8]

Bio-diesel fuel is bout one and a half times more expensive than petroleum diesel fuels.
It requires energy to produce biodiesel fuel from soy, crops, plaus there is the energy of
sowing, fertilizing and harvesting.
Another bio-diesel fuel disadvantage is that it can harm rubber hoses in some engines.
Bio-diesel fuel distribution infrastructure needs improvement, which is another of the biodiesel fuel disadvantages.
Biodiesel fuel distribution infrastructure needs improvement, which is another of the biodiesel
fuel disadvantages.

Properties of Biodiesel Fuel[8]

The viscosity of a fuel is important because it influences the atomization of the fuel being
inserted into the engine combustion chamber. The biodiesel fuel property of having the
viscosity much closer to diesel fuel than vegetable oil helps create a much lower drop, which
burns cleaner.

The other main property of biodiesel fuel that we will discuss is its lubricating properties. The
fuel injection equipment depends on the fuel for its lubrications. The biodiesel fuel properties
increase the life of the fuel injection equipment. Giving better lubricity and a more complete
combustion increases the engine energy output, thus partially balancing for the higher energy
density of petro-diesel.

Physical properties of biodiesel fuel, it is a liquid which can be different in color, from golden
and dark brown, all depending on the production feedstock. It is immiscible with water, has a
high boiling point and low vapor pressure. The flash point of biodiesel is higher than of
petroleum diesel.

However, the land required for increased bio-fuel production will be in addition to the agricultural
demand. The US and Global Agricultural Outlook (FAPRI 2008) projects large increases in global
coarse grain area due to increased demand, in addition to a 14% increase in the harvested area of
sugarcane and a 35% increase in oil palm area by 2017/18 due to targets set by the EU and the US,
and the likelihood of increased bio-fuel targets in Brazil, China, Argentina and India.
Different scenarios and models have led to varying projections of the land area required for demand
driven bio-fuel expansion. [9] These estimates range from 56 -2,500 Mha, where the lower bound takes
into account land savings through the production of co-products, and the upper bound is an estimate
for all biomass fuel requirements under a policy to severely limit the usage of fossil fuels.
To put this in context, an estimate towards the middle of this range (850 Mha) is equivalent to half of
the current global crop land. [10] Estimates vary because the amount of land required will depend upon
the bio-fuel crops modeled as well as assumptions on efficiency, co-products, and land productivity.
For example, a recent study by Ravindranath et al.(2009) estimates that 118 508 Mha of land would
be required to meet a target of 10% bio-fuel in transport fuels globally, depending on the main crops
used to meet targets. [11] The availability of land for bio-fuel production is another question entirely.
Estimates vary depending on the land use data and whether definitions of available land exclude
forest, cropland, etc.[12]Optimistic estimates suggest that there could be up to 1,215 Mha of land
available, whereas pessimistic estimates can be as low as 400 Mha.

International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering

Volume-3, Issue-3, May-June, 2015, www.iaster.com

ISSN

(O) 2347-5188
(P) 2347-8772

Although it is difficult to say with any certainty, the ranges presented in the literature suggest a
potential deficit between land availability and projected land requirements to meet bio-fuel production
targets.[13] The pessimistic scenario presented in the Gallagher review projects a land deficit of
approximately 200 Mha when additional food and feed requirements are taken into account.[14] No
estimates in the literature reviewed here took land requirements for other climate mitigation policies
such as a forestation and wind energy into consideration, or factored in competition for water
resources.[15]

Fig.1 Generalised Process Flow Diagram

Material used for Bio-fuel

Bio-fuels produced from lignocellulosic materials and vegetable oils provide a feasible solution to the
twin crises of fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation. Bio-diesel is considered as a
promising alternative fuel for diesel engines. Many vegetable oils have been used to produce biodiesel namely Peanut, Rapeseed, Safflower, Soya bean, Palm, Coconut, Corn, Cottonseed and
Linseed. There were also bio-diesel produced from non-edible oils such as Mahua, Neem, Karanja
and Jatropha, which become hype in the light of recent food versus fuel conflict.
Characterization of Biodiesel
Quality standards for producing, marketing and storing of bio-fuel are being developed and
implemented around the world in order to maintain the end product quality and also ensure consumer
confidence. The US and EU standards are the most referred standards followed by standards from
other bio-fuel producing nations. Basically, the majority of the standards have similar limits for most
of the parameters (i.e sulfated ash, free glycerol content, copper strip corrosion, acid number etc.)

Flash point
Viscosity
Sulphated ash
Sulphur
Cloud point
Copper corrosion

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International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering

Volume-3, Issue-3, May-June, 2015, www.iaster.com

ISSN

(O) 2347-5188
(P) 2347-8772

Cetane number
Water content and sediment
Neutralization value
Free glycerin
Total glycerin
Phosphorus
Distillation temperature
Oxidation stability

Methods used for Preparation of Bio-Diesel

Catalytic method
Non-catalytic method

Fig. 2 Catalyst Transestrification

Table No.1 Raw Material Used to Bio-Diesel

S.No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Vegetable Oils
Peanut oil
Rapeseed oil
Safflower oil
Soya bean oil
Palm oil
Coconut oil
Cottonseed oil
Linseed oil

Non-Edible Oils
Mahua
Neem
Karanja
Jatropha

Biodiesel Processing Technology

All biomass conversion technologies can be subdivided in two major categories- Thermo-chemical
conversion and biochemical conversion. Pyrolysis, gasification and liquefication are the common thermochemical process to produce syn-oil, bio-syngas and bio-chemicals from biomass. Biochemical conversion
process produces bio-ethanol and bio-diesel. Bio-ethanol is produced by either fermentation or hydrolysis
from different transesterification process, which is actually an alcoholysis process that converts triglycerides
of vegetable oil to fatty acid methyl ethyl esters by displacing alcohol from ester by another alcohol.

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International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering

Volume-3, Issue-3, May-June, 2015, www.iaster.com

ISSN

(O) 2347-5188
(P) 2347-8772

Table No.2 Major Engine Problems of Using Biodiesel

S.No

Estimated Trouble

Properties to be remarked

1.

Damage on fuel line parts metal

corrosion, rubber swell
(a) Pump failure sticking adhesive
material.
(b) Filter plugging, Engine stop by
stopping fuel supply
Worsen exhaust gas
Hard start at low temperature
Deterioration of after treatment system

Acid value, Methanol, Oxidation stability,

Ester content, Water.
Poly unsaturated fatty acid, methyl ester
content, ester content, Tri-glyceride, Monoglyceride, Di-glyceride, Glycerine.

2.

3.
4.
5.

Tri-glyceride, Metals.
Cold performance.
Metals, Phosphorous.

2. CONCLUSION
The production of liquid bio-fuels is rapidly increasing. Demand-based projections suggest that this
trend is likely to continue, largely driven by governmental targets and subsidies. The impacts on
biodiversity will depend upon the bio-fuel feed stocks, previous land use, and agricultural practices
employed, and can be positive where well-managed plantations are established in suitable areas.
However, there is evidence that the cultivation of many of the bio-fuel feed stocks are already having
negative impacts on biodiversity as a result of habitat conversion and the off-farm impacts of
pollution and soil erosion. Most concern oil palm plantations, however. Further negative impacts are
likely to be observed in the future as the land requirements for bio-fuel feedstock production increase.
Indeed, the limited literature available suggests that biodiversity will continue to be negatively
impacted under most current scenarios of bio-fuel production, largely as a result of habitat loss and
fragmentation. The development of next generation bio-fuels offers some potential for reducing
biodiversity impacts, as perennial species grown on marginal lands and waste products from
agriculture and forestry can be utilised. However, the potential impacts of large-scale production are
largely unknown, and there is some skepticism over their ability to reduce land use requirements.
There are also concerns over the use of invasive species, and the removal of waste products from
soil. Given that bio-fuel production is increasing, a comprehensive assessment of the environmental
impacts of bio-fuel production, and the identification of measures to reduce these impacts, is required
at local to regional scales. Sustainability standards for bio-fuel production may help to reduce adverse
impacts on biodiversity, and a number of these are currently under development, or in the early stages
of implementation. However, they will need to overcome a number of issues surrounding definitions
of key terms, and address the issue of indirect land use change if they are to be successfully
implemented. In addition, it is likely that sustainability standards will only be part of the solution, and
will need to be combined with improved land use planning. Bio-fuels have the potential to contribute
to climate change mitigation. However, this may need to be balanced against the negative impacts on
biodiversity. The impacts on biodiversity are not always obvious (e.g. from indirect land use change)
and more research is needed, especially at the local level since much of the current literature reviewed
focuses on global overviews.

REFERENCES
[1]

Ghobadian,
B.Rahimi,H.,Nikbakht,A.M.,Najafi,G.,Yusaf,T.F.,2009.
Diesel
Engine
Performance and Exhaust Emission Analysis Based on Cooking Bio Diesel Fuel with an
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[2]

Silitonga, A.S.,et al.,2011.A Review on Prospect of Jatropha Curcas for Biodiesel in Indonesia,
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Review 15,p.3733-3756.

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International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering

Volume-3, Issue-3, May-June, 2015, www.iaster.com

ISSN

(O) 2347-5188
(P) 2347-8772

[3]

Ma, F.,Hanna, M.A.,1999.Biodesel Production: A Review, Bioresorces Technology 70.p,115.

[4]

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[8]

www.your ultimate biodiesel guide org.com.

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Blanco Canqui, H. & Lal,R. (2009) Corn Stover Removal for Expanded Uses Reduces Soil
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[10] Brown, L. (2008) Biofuels: Renewable Energy or Environmental Disaster in the Making?
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[13] NY, USA. (http://cip.cornell.edu/biofuels/).

[14] Butler,R.A., Koh,L.P. & Ghazoul,J. (2009) REDD in the Red: Palm Oil Could Undermine
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[15] Campbell,J.E., Lobell,D.B., Genova,R.C. & Field,C.B. (2008) The Global Potential of
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