RAPESEED ? AN ALTERNATIVE BIODIESEL

Use of conventional diesel fuel causes serious problem of air pollution and effects on the environment leading to effect like green house, some factors in diesel fuel results in high emission in diesel engine. The stringent emission norms have been an important driving force to develop the CI engines more environment friendly. This recommends the intensive studies on the use of alternative fuels especially renewable ones like vegetable oils and alcohols. The use of vegetable oils as an alternative fuel for diesel engine is not a new concept. In fact early engines were demonstrated with vegetable oil. In a developing country like India where mass transportation plays an important role, the suitability of alternate fuels for a diesel fuel engine application has to be thoroughly investigated. Vegetable oils plays a prominent role in substituting diesel, since they are renewable and are easily produced in rural areas. Biodiesels such as Jatropha, Karanja, Sunflower and Rapeseed are some of the popular biodiesels currently considered as substitute for diesel.