Extraction of Biodiesel from Castor Oil and Study of Its Properties

Abstract

Energy demand is increasing worldwide with expected fossil fuel shortages, alternative energy resources need to be explored. Moreover, the high fossil energy utilization with its unfavorable impact on environment and climate changes entitle for bio-fuels. In Bangladesh energy consumption is increasing at a rapid rate due to rapid industrialization, transportation and mechanization. Increasing pressure of population and increasing use of energy in agriculture, industrial, domestic and public sectors is an area of concern. At the same time, the need to meet energy demand has created huge capital requirements needed for setting up power plants, pipe-lines, ports, terminals, railway tracks to move fuel etc. Biodiesel fuel can be defined as medium length (C16 to C18) chains of fatty acids, and is comprised mainly of mono-alkyl fatty acid esters. It is made through a chemical process called transesterification where by the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products: methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerin. In the present work the production of biodiesel from castor oil by transesterification of the raw oil with methanol in the presence of H2SO4 and NaOH as catalyst. Castor oil (Ricinus Communis L.) enclosed high value of fatty acid which makes transesterification process be converted into methyl esters (biodiesel) due to high solubility in methanol. Biodiesel produced from castor oil has been one of the most significant studies for current researcher. Also methyl esters are transformed from castor oil by etherification process. Various fuel properties of biodiesel produced from castor oil like density, viscosity, flash point, fire point, pour point, calorific value were characterized and compared with the properties of standard petro-diesel. It could be concluded that these oil from castor oil can be used as a viable alternative to the diesel fuel.