CHAPTER 6

PROCESSING AND TESTING

6.1 PROCESSING OF BIODIESEL

Based on the percentage of XXX value, biodiesel can be prepared by either

a single-phase or a tw phase method.

a. Single-phase method

If the percentage of FFA present in the raw vegetable oil is less than 4%, the
transesterification process by single-phase method has to be chosen. In this method,
a measured amount of methanol (CH3OH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) has to be
mixed thoroughly with a measured amount of vegetable oil. The mixture is heated
and maintained at 65°C for 2 hour, and then, it undergoes natural cooling for 8
hour. Glycerol will deposit at the bottom of the flask, and it is separated out using a
separating funnel. The remnants in the flask are the esterified vegetable oil.
Another commercial name for esterified vegetable oil is biodiesel.

b. Two-phase method

If the percentage of FFA present in the raw vegetable oil is more than 4%,
then we have to choose the two-phase method. In this method, the oil has to
undergo Esterification. Measured quantity of sulphuric acid and methanol has to be
taken and mixed thoroughly and added with a measured amount of vegetable oil.
The mixture is heated and maintained at 65°C for 2 hour. The fatty ester is
separated after natural cooling. At second level, the separated oil from the
separating funnel has to undergo transesterification. Meth oxide (methanol +
sodium hydroxide) is added with the above ester and heated to 65°C.

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 The same temperature is maintained for 2 hour with continuous stirring, and
then, it undergoes natural cooling for 8 hour. Glycerol will deposit at the bottom of
the flask, and it is separated out by a separating funnel. The remnants in the flask
are the esterified vegetable oil (biodiesel).The separated biodiesel from the above-
mentioned method contains various impurities like traces of glycerol, unused
methanol, soap particles, etc. Water washing is carried out to remove all impurities.
The traces of glycerol and soap particles make the water to become like soap water.
Once the water becomes like soap water, the bubbler is stopped. After allowing
some time for impurities to settle, the biodiesel is drained from the separating
funnel, and pure biodiesel will be directly used, with or without blending, in the
engine.

Fig.6.1.Water washing

6.2 TESTING OF PROCESSED OIL

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6.2.1 Xxxxxx value

The xxxxx value (briefly written as C.V) or heat value of a solid or liquid
fuel may be defined as the amount of heat that given out by the complete
combustion of 1kg of fuel. It is expressed in terms of kJ/kg of fuel. The calorific
value of gaseous fuels is, however, expressed in terms of kJ/m 3 at a specified
temperature and pressure.

Following are the two types of the calorific value of fuels:

 Gross or higher calorific value

 Net or lower calorific value.

a. Gross or higher calorific value

All fuels, usually, contain some percentage of hydrogen. When a given

quantity of a fuel is burnt, some heat is produced. Moreover some hot flue gases
are also produced. The, water which takes up some of the heat evolved, is
converted into steam. If the heat, take away by the hot flue gases and steam is taken
into consideration, i.e. if the heat is recovered from the flue gases and steam is
condensed back to water at room temperature(15oC), then the total amount of total
heat produced per kg is known as gross or higher calorific value. In other words,
the amount of heat obtained by the complete combustion of 1 kg of a fuel, when the
products of its combustion are cooled down to the temperature of supplied
air(usually taken as 15oC), is called the gross or higher calorific value of fuel. It is
briefly written as H.C.V.

b. Net or lower calorific value

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 When the heat absorbed or carried away by the products of combustion is
not recovered (which is the case in actual practice), and the steam formed during
combustion is not condensed, then the amount of heat obtained per kg of the fuel is
known as net or lower calorific value. It is briefly written as L.C.V.

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