Potential and limitation of straight vegetable oils as engine fuel – An Indian perspective

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews 2014-05, Vol.33, p.316-322
• Main Authors: Dwivedi, Gaurav, Sharma, M.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cloud point; Cold flow filter plugging (CFPP); Cold flow property (CFP); Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Engines and turbines; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Oxidation stability; Oxidation stability index (OSI); Petroleum products, gas and fuels. Motor fuels, lubricants and asphalts; Pour point; Straight vegetable oil (SVO)
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2014.02.004

Due to rapid price increase in petroleum fuels, there is a growing demand for the search for sustainable, environment friendly and cost effective alternative substitute renewable fuel. Out of various available sources straight vegetable oils (SVOs) from edible oil and non-edible oil resources abundantly available in India are selected. Five edible and four non-edible selected SVOSs are analysed on the basis of composition of fatty acids. Oxidation Stability Index and cold flow properties are computed and SVOs are graded for biodiesel production. The result found that SVOs in order of decreasing OSI are Castor>Mahua>Neem>Karanja can be recommended as potential feed stocks for biodiesel production while other SVOs are not due to their instability but may require considerable effort to make the fuel stable. CP and CFPP of edible SVOs in decreasing order are found: Castor>Rape seed>canola> Soya bean while non-edible SVOs in decreasing order are Mahua>Neem>Karanja>Jatropha>Soybean indicating that there is a need to improve the cold flow properties using additives. Out of all SVOs the Castor oil has highest OSI and good cold flow properties and recommended as the best SVO for biodiesel production.