title: Preparation of biodiesel from crude oil of Pongamia pinnata.
abstract: Biodiesel was prepared from the non-edible oil of Pongamia pinnata by transesterification of the crude oil with methanol in the presence of KOH as catalyst. A maximum conversion of 92% (oil to ester) was achieved using a 1:10 molar ratio of oil to methanol at 60 degrees C. Tetrahydrofuran (THF), when used as a co-solvent increased the conversion to 95%. Solid acid catalysts viz. Hbeta-Zeolite, Montmorillonite K-10 and ZnO were also used for this transesterification. Important fuel properties of methyl esters of Pongamia oil (Biodiesel) compare well (Viscosity = 4.8 Cst @ 40 degrees C and Flash point = 150 degrees C) with ASTM and German biodiesel standards.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai.
authors.forename: Sanjib Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Karmee
authors.forename: Anju
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chadha
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources; D005663:Furans / Q000737:chemistry; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D033641:Millettia / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D005663:Furans; D006878:Hydroxides; D010938:Plant Oils; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C018674:tetrahydrofuran; C029943:potassium hydroxide; D000432:Methanol