Published Paper Details:

Biodiesel (mono alkyl esters) is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel produced using natural, renewable sources, for example, vegetable oils. The utilization of biodiesel in an ordinary diesel engine outcomes in a large reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and other matter harmful to nature. biodiesel works well with new technologies and catalysts, which reduces the soluble fraction of diesel particulate but not the solid carbon fraction, particulate traps, and exhaust gas recirculation leading to longer engine life. As the fossil fuels are depleting constantly, a need has arrived to produce biodiesel from various feedstocks.An attempt has been made to produce biodiesel from Kusum (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil and the process parameters namely the methanol-to-oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction time and reaction temperature for biodiesel production were optimized. Taguchi robust design process was used by taking L9 orthogonal array and analysed the performance parameters that influence the production process. The results showed that the optimum yield of biodiesel was 93.8% with viscosity 5.60 cSt, with a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 4:1, catalyst concentration of 1.5 wt%, reaction time of 90 min and reaction temperature of 600C. The catalyst concentration was found to be the most influencing parameter which contributed 51.1% and 50.8% of the total effect on the yield of biodiesel, Y1, and viscosity of biodiesel, Y2, respectively. Regression equation was arrived by using ANOVA technique. The multi parameter output such as Yield and viscosity at 400C were optimized using Principle Component Analysis.