Bio-Diesel: Fuel of Future
Yes, now we really need a bio fuel. The rising level of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and the carbon mono-oxide (CO) has given the environmentalists an alarm of the environment non-friendly action until we have lived.
The solution to this has occurred in form of using some environment friendly fuel in the vehicles and the BIO DIESEL is one advance crawl in the tracks of solution. What this Bio Diesel is? The liquid fuel obtained from biological materials, which after burning leaves out fumes and chemicals, which are later biodegradable and is similar to diesel in combustion properties.
Bio Diesel is prepared from edible and non-edible oils obtained from Soybean, Rapeseed and other animal fats available. It is a liquid having the color variations from light yellow to dark yellow with slightly light brown tint, lighter than water (density ~0.86 g/cm33). The flash point of 150o C or 300o F makes Bio Diesel practically non-flammable under normal circumstances viscosity as same as of normal diesel, and has a non-toxic nature when not mixed with the start-up materials.
The Bio Diesel standards are EN14214 for international norms and besides that other standards used are DIN EN14214 (Germany) and ASTM D 6715 (USA). These standards define the specific quality assurance for the commercial availability of Bio Diesel and type of biomass (rapeseed, soybeans, tallow, animal fat, pure vegetable oils, waste vegetable oils etc.) used for their preparation. Above all the DIN standardization is of three types.
Raw materials used are Rapeseed and the extract is rapeseed methyl esters (RME- DIN E 51606)
Raw materials used are pure vegetable oils and extract is pure methyl esters(PME- DIN E 51606)
Raw materials used are animal fats and vegetable oils and extract is fatty methyl esters(FME- DIN 51606)
Apart from above specifications the other fillers in way to Bio Diesel as standard fuel are that the liquid must burn out completely, must have no alcohol, glycerin, catalysts, low sulphur contents and practically no fatty acids. Overall specification after all the tests the toxicity should be LD50. Bio Diesel when mixed with petro-diesel is marked with “B” factor however, “BA” is also in process to indicate the nature of fuel. Like A B20, fuel mixture indicates the Bio Diesel to Petro-Diesel mixture in ratio of 20:80.
Uses of Bio Diesel have some controversy over the old make models of vehicles. The old make models of vehicles experience some problems like filter clogging and rubber gasket and hoses damage. This is because Bio Diesel being a good solvent it dissolves the fuel residues in fuel lines and clogs the filter. Hence, there is a noted recommendation of switching to Bio Diesel gradually. The cold climatic conditions are also somewhat inhibiting factors in flawless usage of Bio Diesel. The warm climates conditions allow the straight inputs of the B100 the pure Bio Diesel, however in the cold climatic conditions users have to take heed of the gel points-the temperature at which the viscosity of any liquid raises), which of course is another caution point in the fuel standards. The gelling is generally dependent on the type of esters, like RME types gel at -10oC. Nevertheless, introduction of anti-gel additives have solved this problem. Anti-gel additives are compounds, which reduce the gel points of any liquid. Another method is preparation of correct ratio of Bio Diesel, petro-diesel, and Kerosene (high quality referred as K#1) also maintains the reduced gel point in other way maintaining the liquid flow at lower temperatures as at normal temperature. In addition to that, standardizing agency NBB (National Bio Diesel Board) has a recommendation B20 as normally working fuel in cold climatic conditions.
The contamination of Bio Diesel is by water traces during manufacturing is also a major problem, which is one of the causes for its improper working methods. By this presence the heat of combustion of is reduced and the fuel produces more smoke, often the engine experiences starting troubles and overall is delivery of less power. In cold climatic conditions, the water traces present began to form ice at below zero degree temperature and starts the clogging of fuel lines and injection pumps by gel formation of the residual fuel. Next, the water is a good microbe supporter and it enhances the development of microbial colonies, which is very cause of fuel supply clogging. Another profound devastative effect of water presence is corrosion of metal parts.
The Bio Diesel as fuel can be used as domestic heating applications, commercial fuel fired boilers and many other application where the fuel other than coal or fossil fuels are in use. Many countries have started production of Bio Diesel and another important step is the vehicle manufacturers have started recommending the use of Bio Diesel and its blends with conventional Diesel.
Bio Diesel has a remarkable future and the research can only be proceeding more vigorously if the switching to it becomes the very continuum. The overall results of the researches are very much positive in establishing the BIO DIESEL as fuel of future.
(Wait For more news to come.)
For more you can visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel ,