Effect of Monoglycerides, Water and Soap Contamination on the Low Temperature Flow Properties of Pongamia Biodiesel

Volume 12 Issue 3 February - April 2017

Research Paper

Effect of Monoglycerides, Water and Soap Contamination on the Low Temperature Flow Properties of Pongamia Biodiesel

Amit Sarin*, Meetu Singh**, Neerja***, N.P. Singh****

* Associate Professor and Head, Department of Physical Sciences, IK Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India.

** Research Scholar, IK Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India

*** Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Electronics, DAV College, Amritsar, Punjab, India.

**** Dean, IK Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India.

Sarin, A., Singh, M., Neerja and Singh, N.P., (2017). Effect of Monoglycerides, Water and Soap Contamination on the Low Temperature Flow Properties of Pongamia Biodiesel. i-manager’s Journal on Future Engineering and Technology, 12(3), 21-27.https://doi.org/10.26634/jfet.12.3.13433

Abstract

Biodiesels are the promising fuels to secure the energy needs and environment. Transesterification is the process typically followed to synthesize biodiesels from the respective oil and this process may transcend minor contaminants during production. These contaminants, include monoglycerides (MG), soap traces, water traces, and other unsaponifiable matter, which adversely affects the low temperature flow properties which may lead to the gum formation and declines the performance of engine. The present research paper investigated the influence of monoglycerides, water and soap contamination with variable concentration on the low temperature flow properties, viz. Cloud Point (CP), Pour Point (PP), and Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) of Pongamia biodiesel with standard testing methods. This study reveals the limit of contamination level upto which the response of low temperature flow properties need utmost action to eradicate the negative effect for better outcomes. The CP was increased from -1 ^oC and reaches 4 ^oC with 10000 ppm of MG with varying concentrations of soap and water (ppm). However, PP was increased to maximum of reaches 0 ^oC from -6 ^oC, for the different blends of contaminants. However, CFPP was increased from -2 ^oC to 2 ^oC with varying contamination. Had these points were increased by minor level, but study recommends the proper care to be taken during the pre and post transesterification.