Experimental Investigation of Pongamia and Neem Methyl Esters as Biodiesel on Compression Ignition Engine

Biodiesel is a fuel comprised of mono alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. Biodiesel is reliable, renewable, biodegradable and regarded as a clean alternative fuel to reduce exhaust emissions. Vegetable oils have become more attractive for the production of biodiesel in the recent past owing to its environmental benefits and the fact that it is made from renewable resources. Nowadays, most biodiesel is produced by the transesterification of triglycerides of edible/non edible oils, and waste vegetable oils using methanol with alkaline catalyst NaOH/KOH. In this research, methyl esters of pongamia and neem are produced through transesterification. The objective of this paper is to investigate the mechanical properties and performance characteristics of biodiesel extracted from Pongamia and Neem oil. The objective is achieved by transesterifing the pongamia and neem oil using lab setup developed inhouse. The viscosity of pongamia and neem oil is reduced first by blending with diesel in 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% on the volume basis, then analyzed and compared with diesel. In the present experimental investigation Single Cylinder water cooled diesel engine was tested for blends of diesel with Pongamia and Neem Biodiesel.