Transesterification Optimization using Calcium Oxide from Karanja Oil and Results Validation by ANN

Biodiesel is obtained using the transesterification process from renewable oils obtained from vegetable and animal fats. The transesterification process is used to produce biodiesel from Karanja oil with heterogeneous catalyst Calcium Oxide (CaO). In this research work, the Taguchi method has used for the optimization of the transesterification process using five input parameters and five levels for the development of orthogonal arrays. Experiments have conducted as per the L25 orthogonal array developed by Taguchi and yields obtained have been noted. The results obtained by experimentation have been analyzed by Minitab software. The results from Minitab have compared with the results obtained using ANN script analytically as well as graphically. The maximum value of yield has 88% at optimum parametric value namely molar ratio 20% with the addition of 3% Calcium oxide catalyst at process temperature 65ºC for 60 minutes reaction time and agitation speed 600 rpm.

An efficient and environment friendly bio-based polyols through liquefaction: Liquefaction temperature and catalyst concentration optimization and utilized for rigid polyurethane foams

Aiming towards the liquefaction of paddy straw was accumulation as well as providing a technically viable route leading to preservation of the natural resources and environment, the paddy straw was chemically liquefied. Paddy straw were liquefied into bio-based polyol in the presence of castor oil and blend of castor and karanja oil as depolymerizing agent and P-Toluene sulfonic acid as catalyst. Liquefied product was characterized by chemical as well as analytical techniques. The agricultural waste base paddy straw was eventually converted into polymeric precursor (polyol) monomer with nearly 80 to 95% yield by employing 2% catalyst concentration and at optimized temperature of 180°C. Synthesized polyol can be utilized further in formulating high quality rigid polyurethane foams. The foams were characterized in terms of their physical, mechanical, thermal and morphological properties. All foams exhibit good compressive strengths and thermal stability. Thermal conductivity of foams varied between 0.012 and 0.023 Kcal/mh°C, with the lowest being of foam from liquefied (LP), making it suitable for utilization as an insulation material.

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON KARANJA OIL AS AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL FOR DIESEL ENGINE

The strict emission laws, deteriorating environmental conditions, the depletion of oil reserves and the increasing price of petroleum fuels have forced the world to find alternatives fuels. Biodiesel, the promising alternative fuel can be used in diesel engines with little or no modifications. The properties of biodiesel are similar to those of diesel fuels. It can use as a fuel in diesel engine by blending with diesel The use of non-edible oil is more beneficial as compared with edible oil. Various non-edible oil seeds like Jatropha, Karanja, Neem etc. are widely available in India. Among them, Karanja has a potential to be used for the production of biodiesel. Karanja, are multipurpose non-edible plants can be cultivated on any type of soil such as degraded forests, boundaries of roads and irrigation canals. Its seeds contain 27–39% of the oil. This paper provides a comprehensive review on the important contributions of researcher work on Karanja oil and its blend as alternative fuel for diesel engine .The performance parameters evaluated include brake specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency and emission parameters of karanja bio diesel and its blends are described. It is observed that Karanja oil can be used as alternative fuel for diesel engine.

Effect of di-tertiary-butyl peroxide additive on combustion, performance and emissions of a karanja methyl ester fueled diesel engine

The present work studies the influence of di-tertiary-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as a cetane-improving additive to karanja methyl ester (KME) on the combustion, performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine. KME produced by base catalyzed transesterification of non-edible karanja oil was blended with DTBP in different volume proportions to result KMED1 (99% KME + 1% DTBP), KMED2 (98% KME + 2% DTBP), KMED3 (97% KME + 3% DTBP) and KMED5 (95% KME + 5% DTBP) fuel blends. With increase in DTBP content, viscosity was reduced, whereas the cold flow properties, cetane index and calorific value were enhanced. Engine test results exhibited improvement in brake thermal efficiency and brake specific energy consumption for all blends compared to neat KME. Combustion analysis showed improved combustion with rise in DTBP content in the blends. The CO, HC and NOx emissions with KME-DTBP blends were less compared to neat KME and the same significantly reduced with rise in DTBP percentage in the blends. This shows improved combustion due to more oxygen availability and improvement in fuel properties with addition of DTBP to KME. However, the NOx emissions were marginally higher with KME-DTBP blends compared to neat KME and diesel that may be further studied.

Biorational Management of Pulse Bettle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.) on Chickpea Seeds

The pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis is one of the major insect pest in stored pulse (i.e. Chickpea seeds) causing 40-50% losses of pulses in storage. Experiments were conducted to study the efficacy of some selected biorational insecticides on mortality of beetle, weight loss of seeds, fecundity and hatchability of pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis under laboratory condition. Among the different botanicals, Neem oil (89.00%) was found the most effective in case of mortality of pulse beetle in direct method followed by Mahogany oil (78.00%) and Karanja oil (62.00%). Among different microbial derivatives, Spinosad was found most effective considering mortality followed by Emamectin benzoate and Abamectin. Among botanicals the highest percentage of weight reduction was observed in Karanja oil (30.18%) and the lowest (22.43%) was in Neem oil while among microbial derivatives the lowest percentage of seed weight reduction was obtained from Spinosad (11.15%) and the highest percentage of weight reduction was obtained from Abamectin (20.37%). No. of eggs laid per female was recorded highest in Karanja oil (24.00) and lowest in Spinosad (19.33). The hatchability percentage was highest in Karanza oil (21.73%) and lowest in Neem (12.89%) and in case of chemical treatment lowest in spinosad (6.05%) and highest in Ebamectin (14.42%). Neem oil and Spinosad were found effective against pulse beetle in storage condition. Therefore, Neem oil and Spinosad might be included in the development of IPM packages for the management of pulse beetle in the storage.