Biodiesel production from Momordica Charantia (L.): Extraction and engine characteristics

The present research work comprises of the study of Momordica charantia (L.) seeds as an alternative for biodiesel production. A new source of heterogeneous catalyst: duck egg shell derived calcium oxide (CaO), as catalyst is used in the transesterification reaction. The catalyst has been synthesized and analyzed through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and the results were compared with works of other researchers. The MCME thus obtained is characterized through FTIR and Gas chromatograph-Mass spectrometer (GC-MS) for determining the fatty acid methyl ester composition and content. The yield of methyl ester using duck egg shell derived CaO was found to be 96.8%. The engine test at variable engine speed (1200, 1500 and 1800 rpm) and loading (low, medium and full) showed that use of B20 MCME has significant reduction in NOX emissions (51.68%, 55.88% & 55.68% in 1200, 1400 and 1800 rpm) while other emission components-CO, CO2, PM and SO2 were close to that of diesel. Performance and combustion characteristics were observed to be lower than that of diesel. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.