Production of Biofuel (Biodiesel and Bioethanol):An economical and environmentally feasible way to the society

Abstract

In recent years, bio fuels growers have achieved significant enhancement in crop output and processing efficiencies and today the volume of bio fuels produced in a specific planted area is several times higher than it used to be as latest methodology and technical work to increase production of biofuel. In the sense of methodology, bio fuels are sub-divided into two large categories: substitute for diesel (biodiesel) and substitute for petroleum (ethanol). These biofuels are generally based upon their properties and mod of using manufacturing technology. Biodiesel against diesel used in motor vehicles is produced from such plants which are oil rich plants such as. Rapeseed, sunflower, algae, zetroffa etc. In the process of trans-esterification, Biodiesel from these plants are used by mixing the vegetable oil (80-90%) with methanol (10-20%. On the other hand, bio ethanol, ethanol known as alcohol replaces petrol in fuel engine and produced by the fermentation of sugar from agro residues such as sugarcane baggase, sugar beet, Wheat straw, Rape straw, Barley straw etc.). Fatty acid alkyl esters, methyl and ethyl esters which are excellent in substitutes for diesel fuel is produced by an important reaction transesterification of vegetable oils. Such type of Biodiesel which is prepared by catalyzed mild transesterification has become of much current demand & interest for alternative fuel production. The ability of a commercial immobilized Pseudomonas fluorescens MTCC 103 to catalyze the transesterification of Jatropha oil and methanol was investigated in the present study. During batch process The cell of P. fluorescens was easily immobilized within the sodium alginate. Some important parameters were studied like pH, oil/methanol molar ratio, reaction temperature, amount of beads and reaction time. It was found from the study that highest yield of biodiesel was obtained at the optimum conditions of at temperature 40ºC, molar ratio of 1:4, pH of 7.0, the amount of beads taken as 3-4 g while the 2 days is used for reaction. After successful experiment results were compared with current petroleum based diesel and the difference in comparative physical properties of the products were noted it was found that in existing diesel engine, the obtained product can be used as an effective ealternate fuel without any hardware engine modifications.