Production of Bio-Diesel from Non-Edible Thumba (Citrullus Colocyntis) Seed Oil Using Mechanical Stirring Methodology and Analysis of Fuel Properties

摘要

The depletion of fossils fuels are going on very rapidly. After few decades fossils fuels will be exhausted. So to fulfil the demand of the fossils fuel there is a big need to find out the alternative fuel of the fossils fuel. The fuels which are based on petroleum play a very significant role in the development and growth of the industries, transportation, agriculture field and many other human requirements sector. Though these petroleum base fuels are limited and lessening day by day as the demand and consumption is increasing very rapidly. In addition, petroleum fuels are also polluting the environment and creating problem to human being as well as society also. Therefore, there is a need of research for alternative fuels and Biodiesel is a very good alternative fuel. In India, there is a various type of trees, shrubs, seeds and herbs are copiously available, which can be subjugated for the production of biodiesel. Citrullus colocyntis (Thumba) is a type of non edible fruit which is widely found in wester n Rajasthan region and Gujarat state. It can be well used for production of biodiesel. In the present work, biodiesel has been obtained from Thumba seed oil (Citrullus colocyntis) using transesterification process with methanol & potassium hydroxide as catalyst b y Mechanical stirring production technique. The properties of this Bio-diesel have been evaluated and it is found that the properties of Thumba Bio-diesel are comparable to conventional diesel fuel and can be acceptably used as alternative fuel with better performance compared with diesel and it may play a very vital role for the overall economic development