Comparative Study of Free Fatty Acid Composition and Physico Chemical Properties of Biodiesel Produced from Various Non Edible Oil Seeds

Due to recent petroleum crisis and unavailability of petroleum diesel the demand for petroleum diesel is increasing day by day hence there is a need to find out an appropriate solution. Bio fuels are being given serious consideration as potential sources of energy in the future. Biodiesel is a clean burning alternate fuel, produced from both edible and non-edible oil seeds. It can be used in compression-ignition engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. It can be stored just like petroleum diesel fuel. The use of biodiesel in conventional diesel engines results in substantial reduction of unburnt hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matters. Its higher cetane number improves the ignition quality even when blended in petroleum diesel. Various nonedible plants in their seeds contain 30 % or more oil. Studies have been undertaken to compare free fatty acid compostion and physico chemical properties of biodiesel produced from various nonedible oil seeds such as jatropha, karanja, mahua, rubber, castor, neem etc.