Influence of Catalyst Type and Reaction Conditions on Biodiesel Conversion of Pine and Soapnut Oils

Year : 2025 | Volume : 12 | Issue : 03 | Page : 39 48
    By

    C. Manikandan,

  • C. Syed Aalam,

  1. Research scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, FEAT, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, FEAT, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Biodiesel produced from non-edible oils is becoming an important replacement for petroleum diesel because it is renewable, environmentally friendly, and suitable for use in existing diesel engines. It helps reduce air pollution, lowers dependence on fossil fuels, and supports sustainable energy development. Pine oil and soapnut oil are two promising non-edible feedstocks because they are easy to obtain, inexpensive, and contain chemical compounds that can be effectively converted into biodiesel. Although these oils are good raw materials, their conversion into high-quality biodiesel mainly depends on the catalyst used and the process conditions applied during transesterification. The present study examines how different types of catalysts—alkaline, acidic, heterogeneous (solid), and bio-catalysts—affect the conversion of pine and soapnut oils into biodiesel. Key process variables such as methanol-to-oil ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time were carefully adjusted and studied. These parameters were selected because they influence reaction speed, product quality, and overall biodiesel yield. Since pine oil and soapnut oil have different free fatty acid levels and chemical structures, each oil responded differently to the reaction conditions, requiring slight adjustments to achieve optimal results. The findings show that alkaline catalysts produced the highest biodiesel yield and the fastest conversion rate, making them suitable for large-scale applications. Acid catalysts were more effective for oils with high free fatty acid content but required longer reaction time. Heterogeneous catalysts showed advantages such as easy separation, reusability, and reduced waste generation, although their reaction rate was slower. Bio-catalysts, while environmentally friendly, resulted in moderate conversion compared to chemical catalysts. Overall, this study provides useful information for selecting the most suitable catalysts and reaction conditions for producing biodiesel from pine and soapnut oils. The results support ongoing efforts to develop clean, affordable, and sustainable fuel alternatives for future energy needs.

Keywords: Catalyst, Reaction Conditions, Biodiesel, Pine Oil, Soapnut Oil

[This article belongs to Journal of Automobile Engineering and Applications ]

How to cite this article:
C. Manikandan, C. Syed Aalam. Influence of Catalyst Type and Reaction Conditions on Biodiesel Conversion of Pine and Soapnut Oils. Journal of Automobile Engineering and Applications. 2025; 12(03):39-48.
How to cite this URL:
C. Manikandan, C. Syed Aalam. Influence of Catalyst Type and Reaction Conditions on Biodiesel Conversion of Pine and Soapnut Oils. Journal of Automobile Engineering and Applications. 2025; 12(03):39-48. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/joaea/article=2025/view=234135


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 12
Issue 03
Received 05/12/2025
Accepted 08/12/2025
Published 15/12/2025
Publication Time 10 Days
33

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