Biodiesel production using Calophyllum inophyllum (Tamanu) seed oil and its compatibility test in a CI engine

Tamanu-based biodiesel can be used as a non-conventional fuel blended with conventional fuel in a compression ignition engine without any need for modification in engine design. The three main processes involved in production of biodiesel are removal of OH group by H2SO4 (acid) and KOH (base), and removal of soapy water. The molar ratios tried in this process were 4:1 to 10:1 and the yield was maximum at 6:1 (86.15%). In this present study, production of biodiesel from Tamanu oilseeds, its performance analysis and emission characteristics in a CI engine were extensively studied. Prepared Tamanu-based biodiesel was used in a four-stroke CI engine and performance analysis was done. The blend proportions used in the diesel engine were 10-40 wt.% biodiesel (B10, B20, B30 and B40). Analysis of emissions such as NOx, CO, and HC from a CI engine has shown that the biodiesel blends produced fewer emissions than that of commercial diesel. Results revealed that there is a substantial reduction of emissions and an increase in performance of the biodiesel blends tested. Moreover, the amounts of toxic pollutants emitted from the biodiesel blends are significantly less when compared to commercial diesel.