PHYSICO-CHEMICAL ANALYSIS FOR DETERMINATION OF FATTY ACID METHYL ESTERS (FAME) CONTENTS IN MUSTARD OIL BIODIESEL A RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY

Abstract

Biodiesel has become more attractive recently because of its environmental benefits and the fact that it is made from renewable resources. It is produced by trans esterification in which, oil or fat is reacted with a monohydric alcohol in presence of a catalyst. The process of transesterification is affected by the mode of reaction condition, type and amount of catalysts, it is shown from the present work that by using different amount of catalyst produced variable yields of biodiesel. The technical tools and processes for monitoring the transesterification reactions like, GC-MS, IH NIv1R, \3C NIv1R and FT-IR have also been summarized. Sample of plant Biodiesel and petro- diesel show different peaks. On the basis of these peaks determined the different types of fatty ester present in biodiesel. In addition, fuel properties and specifications provided by different countries are discussed. Important fuel properties of methyl esters of sunflower oil (Biodiesel) compare well with ASTM standards. The metals in plant parts and their by-products in contrast to petro-diesel were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. 14 metals were analyzed in all samples. From the result in was concluded that the concentration of metal present in plant parts and their bypro ducts comparatively more than that present in petro-diesel. It has been found that Mustard plant (Brassica campestres L.) posses great potentials for biodiesel production.