Biodiesel production from Madhuca indica: A potential species for semi-arid lands of Hyderabad-Karnataka region

Abstract

The increasing demand of fuels is getting vital importance in search of alternative fuels to the depleting fossil fuel is renewable fuels. The research on searching for renewable energy sources getting the more importance for energy security. Mahua a biodiesel species also gained role in the biodiesel production. The present investigation was carried out on Mahua species by oil extraction and its biodiesel conversion. The single stage transesterification process was used for the production of biodiesel. The results revealed that the FFA and oil content of the Mahua were found to be 2.86±0.20 and 37.34±0.57. The biodiesel and glycerine obtained by transesterification was found to be 889.9±1.43 and 203.5±0.83. The fuel properties of Mahua biodiesel was met the ASTM and BIS standards. The biodiesel used for running the local autos and cars and their opinion was good and mileage also enhanced compared with the normal fossil fuels. Seed cake used as manure for the crops development.