“Sustainable Energy Solutions: Biodiesel Blends from Bitterwood Oil for Engine Efficiency and Emission Reduction”

Abstract

The growing industrialization and motorization worldwide have significantly increased the demand for petroleum-based fuels. However, these fuels are derived from limited reserves, leading to challenges for countries lacking these resources, especially due to the need for importing crude oil. This strains energy security and foreign exchange reserves. Therefore, it becomes imperative to explore alternative fuels that can be produced regionally, such as alcohol, biodiesel, and vegetable oils. Biodiesel is a fatty acid alkyl ester, a renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic fuel that can be derived from both edible and non-edible oils through a process called transesterification. In India, one of the commonly used non-edible biodiesels is bitterwood oil methyl ester (BOME). In the present investigation, bitterwood oil-based methyl ester (biodiesel) is produced using a mixture of sodium hydroxide and Methonal, a mixed base catalyst, through the transesterification process. Direct injection, four-stroke single-cylinder petro-diesel engine using blends of bitterwood methyl esters with petro-diesel at different volume ratios (10%, 20%, 30%, and 100%). In this process, a comprehensive study of performance and emission tests was conducted, aiming to understand how biodiesel blends, particularly those derived from bitterwood oil, perform in internal combustion engines concerning efficiency and emissions. Such research is crucial for the development and adoption of sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel alternatives, especially in regions facing energy and foreign exchange challenges due to petroleum dependence.