Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Volume 6, Issue 11, Nov 2015, pp. 89-101, Article ID: IJMET_06_11_011
Available online at
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=6&IType=11
ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359
IAEME Publication
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
89
editor@iaeme.com
Cite this Article: R.V.S Madhuri, P.V Rao, K.R.M Alekhya and A. Swarna
Kumarimar. Properties of Vegetable Oils and Their Influence on Performance
and Exhaust Emissions of A Di-Diesel Engine A Review, International
Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 6(11), 2015, pp. 89-101.
http://www.iaeme.com/currentissue.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=6&IType=11
1. INTRODUCTION
The potential benefits of SVO such as low cost, low production rates, carbon
neutrality, and low emissions than petroleum derived fuels made SVO an interesting
subject of study as fuel. There are several sources of SVO. The review focuses on
jatropha, cotton seed, tobacco seed, karanja, mahua, rubber seed, soap nut, deccan
hemp, palm, soya bean and neem oils. The plants origin, features, climatic conditions
in which they can grow, the percentage of yield of oil from seeds and the fatty
composition of oil are discussed.
1.1. Jatropha
The scientific name of jatropha plant is Jatropha curcas L. It grows as a small tree or
large herbs, up to 57 m tall. The plant belongs to Euphorbiaceous family. It is a
drought-resistant plant capable of surviving in abandoned and fallowed agricultural
lands. The tropical plant is able to thrive in a number of climatic zones with rainfall of
2501200 mm. The plant is native to Mexico, Central America, Africa, India, Brazil,
Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Paraguay. It is well adapted in arid and semi-arid
conditions and has low fertility and moisture demand. It can also grow on moderately
saline, degraded and eroded soils. The ideal density of plants per hectare is 2500. It
produces seeds after 12 months and reaches its maximum productivity by 5 years and
can live 3050 years. Jatropha Seed (shown in fig1) production ranges from 0.1 ha /1
yr to more than 8 ha/1 yr depending on the soil conditions. Depending on variety, the
seed of Jatropha contain 4359% of oil [1].
1.2. Karanja
The scientific name of karanja is Pongamia pinnata L, Pierre (karanjaorhonge).
karanja is a medium sized ever green tree belonging to the family Legumnosae and
Pappilonaceae, more specifically the Millettieae tribe, which grows in Indian
subcontinent and south-east Asia and has been successfully introduced to humid
tropical regions of the world as well as parts of Australia, New Zealand, China and
the USA. A single tree of karanja is said to yield 990 kg seeds, indicating a yield
potential of 9009000 kg seed/ ha (assuming 100 trees/ ha). It is one of the few
nitrogen fixing trees that produce seeds with a significant oil content. The plant is fast
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
90
editor@iaeme.com
Properties of Vegetable Oils and Their Influence on Performance and Exhaust Emissions of A
Di-Diesel Engine A Review
growing, drought resistant, moderately frost, hardy and highly tolerant of salinity. It
can be regenerated through direct sowing, transplanting and root or shoot cutting. Its
maturity comes after 4-7 years. The karanja seed (shown in fig 2) oil content ranges
between 30 and 40 wt% [1].
1.3. Neem
The Scientific name of neem tree is Azadirachtaindica and the tree belongs to the
Meliaceae family. It is a multipurpose and an ever green tree, 1218 m tall, which can
grow in almost all kinds of soil including clay, saline, alkaline, dry, stony, shallow
soils and even on solid having high calcareous soil. It is native to India, Pakistan, Sri
Lanka, Burma, Malaya, Indonesia, Japan and the tropical regions of Australia. It
thrives well in arid and semi-arid climate with maximum shade temperature as high as
49 0C and the rainfall as low as 250 mm. It can be raised by directly sowing its seed or
by transplanting nursery-raised seedlings in monsoon rains. It reaches maximum
productivity after 15 years and has a life span of 150200 years. The productivity of
neem oil mainly varies from 2 to 4tha/yr and a matured neem tree produces 3050 kg
fruit. The neem seeds (shown in fig 3) contain 2030 wt% oil and Kernels contain 40
50% of an acrid green to brown colored oil [1].
1.4. Rubber
Heveabrasiliens is commonly referred to rubber tree. It belongs to the family
Euphorbiaceous. This rubber tree originates from the Amazon rain forest (Brazil).The
tree is the primary source of natural rubber and produces 99% of worlds natural
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
91
editor@iaeme.com
rubber. Moreover, the trees sap-like extract (known as latex) can be collected and
used in various applications. It is distributed mainly in Indonesia, Malaysia, Liberia,
India, Srilanka, Sarawak, and Thailand, growing up to 34 minimum heights, the tree
requires heavy rainfall and produces seeds weighing from 2 to 4 gm that do not
currently have any major industrial applications. On an average, a healthy tree can
give about 500 go fuse full seeds during a normal year and this works out to an
estimated availability of 150 kg of seeds per hectare. Generally 37% by weight of the
seed is shell and the rest is kernel. Rubber seed (shown in fig 4) oil is a non-edible
vegetable oil, which contain 50-60 wt% oil and kernel contain 4050 wt% of brown
color oil [1].
1.5. Tobacco
The scientific name of tobacco plant is Nicotianatabacum. Tobacco is a by- product
that contains significant amount of oil 3549% by weight with an estimated annual
yield of 15,000 tons per year. It can be cultivated in more than 100 countries
worldwide such as Macedonia, Turkey, South Serbia and wide spread in North and
South America etc. The oil extracted from tobacco seed (shown in fig 5) is nonedible with physical, chemical and thermal properties that compare favorably with
other vegetable oils and have the potentiality to be considered as a new feed stock for
biodiesel production [1].
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
92
editor@iaeme.com
Properties of Vegetable Oils and Their Influence on Performance and Exhaust Emissions of A
Di-Diesel Engine A Review
leached soils. Therefore, cultivation of soap nut in such soil avoids potential soil
erosion. Soap nut seeds (shown in fig 6) contain 23% oil of which 92% is
triglycerides [1].
1.7. Mahua
In the various Indian languages the tree is known under the names of mahua are
Mahuda, Madhuka and scientifically in some of the older books, the tree is listed
under the name of BassialatifoliaRoxb; in modern books, the name has been changed
to Madhucaindica Gmel; it belongs to Sapotaceae Family. The tree is indigenous to
Central India, Gujarat and along the Western Ghats, eastwards to Chota Nagpur. It is
very commonly planted all over peninsular India. It is a large deciduous tree reaching
20 m in height with a spreading crown. Leaves are clustered near the ends of the
branches, each 7-20 x 3-7 cm. Bio diesel from mahua seed is important because most
of the states of India are tribal where it is abundantly found. The annual production of
mahua seed (shown in fig 7) was greater than 2 mt of which mahua is nearly 181 kt.
[1].
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
93
editor@iaeme.com
1.9. Palm
The Arecaceae are a botanical family of perennial lianas, shrubs, and trees commonly
known as palm trees. They are flowering plants most of them restricted
to tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climates. The palm trees grow 10 to 15 m
in height. Its life time is for 20 25 years and palm seeds (shown in fig 9) gives an oil
yield of 3-5 tons per hectare [1]. Palm oil is different from pal kernel oil. Palm oil is
red in color where as palm kernel oil is not in red color as it is deficient of ceratone
content.
1.10. Cotton
The scientific name of Cotton plant is Gossypium arboretum. Cotton is a member of
the malvaceae family of flowering plants that includes hibiscus, pavonia and mallow
plants. Cotton seed (shown in fig 10) yields 0.89 tons per hectare on an average. The
worlds average yield is 603 kg/ha [1].
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
94
editor@iaeme.com
Properties of Vegetable Oils and Their Influence on Performance and Exhaust Emissions of A
Di-Diesel Engine A Review
2. PROPERTIES
2.1. Density
Fuel density is the density of the fuel, commonly expressed in kilograms per cubic
meter. The greater the fuel density, the greater the mass of fuel that can be stored in a
given tank and the greater the mass of fuel than can be pumped for a given fuel pump.
Fuel density generally increases with increasing molecular weight of the fuel
molecules [5]. Fuel density also generally increases with increasing molecular weight
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
95
editor@iaeme.com
of the component atoms of the fuel molecules. High density of fuel leads to poor
combustion of fuel and increase in emissions such as carbon monoxide and
hydrocarbons. The density value of the oils considered varies from 870 960 kg/m3
as shown in the table 1.
2.2. Viscosity
Viscosity is the index of fuel resistance to flow. It is measured in centistokes.SVO
viscosity is much higher than that of diesel fuel: it increases with the carbon chain
lengths, triglyceride un saturation which induces polymerization, and when the
temperature decreases. Common SVOs have a kinematic viscosity of 30 -40 cSt at
40C, i.e. 10-15 times higher than that of diesel. SVO high viscosity causes i) a
decrease in injection rate due to head losses in fuel injection pumps, filters and
injectors, ii) poor fuel atomization and vaporization by the injectors, which leads to
incomplete combustion inside the combustion chamber [5]. This results in lower
thermodynamic efficiency, and an increase in soot emissions and particles. The
viscosity of the oils varies from 10 46 cSt as shown in the table 1.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
96
editor@iaeme.com
Properties of Vegetable Oils and Their Influence on Performance and Exhaust Emissions of A
Di-Diesel Engine A Review
Name
Jatropha
Cotton
seed oil
C14:0
Myristic
acid
C16:0
Palmitic
acid
C16:1
Palmitoleic
acid
C18
Stearic
acid
C18:1
Oleic
acid
C18:2
Linoleic
acid
12.7
0.7
5.5
39.1
41.6
0.4
20
35
42
0.2
Others
17.9
24.6
39.6
16.3
13.1
57.1
20.0
0.7
20.6
43.9
17.9
0.4
1.6
1.02-3.0
11-19
0.5-2
0.1
4.6
41.9
8.6
0.3
0.3
2.0-6.0
22-34
43-56
5.0-11.0
0.09
10.96
Karanja
3.7-7.9
Mahua
Rubber
seed oil
Deccan
Hemp Oil
17.8
14
44.571.3
46.3
2.2
10.2
8.7
5.2
2.4
0.2-0.26
14.9
0.1
Palm
kernel oil
14.0218.0
17.02-9.0
Palm oil
0.5
43.4
Tr 0.5
7.0-11.0
Soya bean
oil
C20:0
Archidic
acid
, C12 <0.01,C20:1-0.13,
C 22 0.12,
C22:1<0.01
C 20:1 2.4, C22
5.3
-
Tobacco
seed oil
Neem
C18:3
Alpha
,gama
linoleic
Acid
0.2
0.2
3.34
2.4-8.9
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
14.54
97
69.49
0.69
10.8-18.3
0.25
4.1
editor@iaeme.com
Name
Jatropha
Cotton
seed oil
C14:0
Myristic
acid
C16:0
Palmitic
acid
C16:1
Palmitoleic
acid
C18
Stearic
acid
C18:1
Oleic
acid
C18:2
Linoleic
acid
12.7
0.7
5.5
39.1
41.6
0.4
20
35
42
C18:3
Alpha
,gama
linoleic
Acid
0.2
C20:0
Archidic
acid
0.2
Others
17.8
14
44.571.3
46.3
17.9
, C12 <0.01,C20:10.13, C 22
0.12,
C22:1<0.01
C 20:1 2.4,
C22 5.3
-
2.2
10.2
8.7
24.6
39.6
16.3
5.2
2.4
13.1
57.1
20.0
0.7
0.2-0.26
14.9
0.1
20.6
43.9
17.9
0.4
1.6
Palm
kernel oil
14.02-18.0
17.02-9.0
1.02-3.0
11-19
0.5-2
Palm oil
0.5
43.4
0.1
4.6
41.9
8.6
0.3
0.3
Tr 0.5
7.0-11.0
2.0-6.0
22-34
43-56
5.0-11.0
Tobacco
seed oil
0.09
10.96
Karanja
3.7-7.9
Mahua
Rubber
seed oil
Deccan
Hemp Oil
Neem
Soya bean
oil
0.2
3.34
2.4-8.9
14.54
69.49
0.69
10.8-18.3
0.25
4.1
C 20:2 -0.5,
C22:1 0.3
C 22 0.3, C
24 0.2
C8 3.02-5.0,
C10 3.02-7.0,
C12 40-52
C12:0 0.2,
C 22:0 - 0.1
-
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
98
editor@iaeme.com
Properties of Vegetable Oils and Their Influence on Performance and Exhaust Emissions of A
Di-Diesel Engine A Review
4.7. HC Emissions
Unburnt HC emissions are direct result of incomplete combustion. SVO due to their
higher viscosities undergo incomplete combustion and therefore has Higher HC
emissions [13]. The statement is strengthened by the works performed on karanja,
jatropha, soap nut, deccan hemp and neem oils [10, 16, 17, 18].
5. CONCLUSIONS
Depending on the review made on the physical, chemical and fatty acid compositions
of vegetable oils the following conclusions are drawn
Vegetable oils are the fuels which have close characteristics like diesel and therefore
they can used as an alternative fuel in diesel engines
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
99
editor@iaeme.com
Non edible oils should be preferred over edible oils as non edible are cheaper than
edible oils and also usage of non edible oils does not disturb the food cycle of human
beings.
SVOs are highly viscous when compared to diesel. So they can be adopted by
implementing preheating technique or with some engine modifications.
SVOs can also be utilised in a beneficial way by blending with diesel up to certain
percentage.
The flash point of SVOs is higher than diesel so that they are safer to use compared
to diesel.
The Brake thermal efficiencies of SVO are low when compared to diesel due to their
high viscosity but are having high Brake specific fuel consumption due to their high
densities.
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
100
editor@iaeme.com
Properties of Vegetable Oils and Their Influence on Performance and Exhaust Emissions of A
Di-Diesel Engine A Review
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]
[18]
[19]
[20]
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp
101
editor@iaeme.com