Liquid fuel synthesis from Leonotis nepetifolia seeds through in-situ transesterification method

ABSTRACT

In the present research work, biodiesel is produced by in-situ technique using directly the dried seeds of Leonotis nepetifolia. Herein, methanol plays a dual role, as solvent for extraction of oil from the seeds of Leonotis nepetifolia and as a reactant in the process of alcoholysis in presence of KOH catalyst. The influence of seed to methanol molar ratio, reaction time, temperature and catalyst loading is investigated. The result showed that the maximum yield of about 96% is obtained with 1: 393 molar ratios of seed oil to methanol at 60°C, using 3.0% (w/w) KOH catalyst for 100 min. Biodiesel parameters are experimentally evaluated and calculated by using various mathematical models. The experimentally determined and empirically calculated fuel properties of Leonotis nepetifolia methyl esters are found comparable with the existing biodiesels and petro-diesel and satisfy the ASTM and EN limits. This study reveals that the FAMEs produced by the nonedible seeds of Leonotis nepetifolia using in-situ method of transesterification can be used as an alternative to diesel fuel.

KEYWORDS:

• Biodiesel
• in-situ transesterification
• Leonotis nepetifolia
• non edible seeds
• fatty acid composition

Acknowledgements

Dr. K. S. Katagi, Principle Investigator, UGC-MRP is highly thankful to UGC-SWRO for support under the Minor Research Project No.F.2070-MRP/15-16/KAKA056/UGC-SWRO dated 25 Apr. 2016. Authors highly acknowledge Karnatak University’s University Scientific Instrument Center (USIC) for technical support.

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by the University Grants Commission SWRO-Bangalore, India for financial support under the Minor Research Project No. F.2070-MRP /15-16/KAKA056/UGC-SWRO dated: 25 Apr. 2016.