**2. Process description**

Oil having specific gravity in the range of 0.85 – 0.96 and iodine value not exceeding 208 is heated to a temperature not exceeding 120°C for not less than 2hrs to adjust the moiture content at a level not exceeding 0.5% and is transesterified using 8 to 42% w/w, of alcohol of general formula R-OH, where R represents (CnH2n+1) , n being any integer between 1 and 5, by known method in presence of not more than 0.5% w/w, of a known catalyst, at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the alcohol but not exceeding 215°C for not

**Country Rice Rice bran Oil**  China 181 14.5 2.47 India 137 6.8 1.02 Indonesia 50 4.0 0.68 Bangladesh 38 3.0 0.51 Vietnam 32 2.6 0.44 Thailand 24 1.9 0.32 Myanmar 20 1.6 0.27 Philippines 13 1.0 0.17 Japan 11 0.9 0.15 Brazil 10 0.8 0.14

Table 1. Annual production (metric million tons) of rice, rice bran and oil in the world.

microscope (SEM) image, particulate matter in exhaust gas and emission reductions.

Pea 0.883 4.9 54 33.6 176 Soya 0.885 4.5 45 33.5 178 Bab 0.875 3.6 63 31.8 117 Palm 0.880 5.7 62 33.5 164 Sun 0.860 4.6 49 33.5 183 Diesel 0.855 3.06 50 43.8 76 B20 0.859 3.2 51 43.2 128 Range 0.85-0.88 3.2-5 45-62 32-44 76-183

Oil having specific gravity in the range of 0.85 – 0.96 and iodine value not exceeding 208 is heated to a temperature not exceeding 120°C for not less than 2hrs to adjust the moiture content at a level not exceeding 0.5% and is transesterified using 8 to 42% w/w, of alcohol of general formula R-OH, where R represents (CnH2n+1) , n being any integer between 1 and 5, by known method in presence of not more than 0.5% w/w, of a known catalyst, at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the alcohol but not exceeding 215°C for not

µ

Table 2. Properties of Biodiesel from vegetable oils.

Oil Name <sup>ρ</sup>

(kg/m3)

**2. Process description** 

This chapter presents process for rice bran oil biodiesel (RBOBD) production, composition and physico-chemical properties of RBOBD, engine test results, scanning electron

(mm2/s) Cetane No: Calorific value

(MJ/kg)

Flash point (°C)

less than 30 minutes under continuous turbulent condition at rpm in the range of 100-150 to get a mixture of ester and glycerol. The Reynolds number (NRe) is maintained at not less than 4000 irrespective of the type of the reactor. The mixture of ester and glycerol is subjected to separation by known method for a period of not less than 4 hrs and the top layer ester is purified by conventional method for a period of not less than 8hrs. The process of separation as well as purification is repeated for not less than three times in succession to get biodiesel.

Fig. 1. Lab scale experimental setup

In lab scale experimental setup Fig.1, RBO was taken in the continuous stirred tank glass reactor (1 l) with reflex condenser, temperature control and agitation control setup. In another reactor, NaOH (50 g) was dissolved in methanol (300 ml). This solution was added slowly at the reactor maintained at 65-70 C for 150 min. Then the entire mixture kept in the separating funnel. The top layer, biodiesel, is taken for the removal of methanol in the ROTO vacuum distiller. Then the methyl ester washed of distilled water (1 l) in the same reactor for 30 min. After washing, top layer in the separating funnel has to be washed with saline water for two times. Finally, clear biodiesel was kept in the oven for 4 h at 100C. The ready to use biodiesel few samples shown in Fig.2.

Gas-Liquid Process, Thermodynamic Characteristics (19 Blends),

Fig. 4. A Typical C13, NMR Spectrum

product is found to be 60 lit.

Efficiency & Environmental Impacts, SEM Particulate Matter Analysis… 321

The brief process description has been followed at the Pilot-scale preparation of biodiesel

Rice bran oil is filtered to remove any impurities. 69 lit. of moisture free refined oil is taken in a Pilot Plant scale reactor (Fig. 5. (b)) of capacity 120 lit. Fitted with a reflux condenser and heated with agitation to 65ºC. Then 345 gms of sodium hydroxide, 20.7 lit. of methanol are

The reaction mixture is mixed well, temperature is maintained at 65-70ºC throughout the reaction and the reaction time is 150 min. When the reaction is complete, the contents are allowed to cool and transferred to a separating tank. After overnight settling, the mixture

The bottom layer-Glycerol is separated. The top layer - biodiesel is distilled at 65ºC to recover unreacted alcohol. Then the methyl ester is washed for 30 minutes at 50ºC with equal volumes of 0.1% dil. acetic acid to remove any traces of un reacted alkali. In case of emulsion formation after washing, saline water is used for second washing. The pH of the ester layer is adjusted to neutral while washing. After washing, the layers are allowed to settle for 30 min. The top layer is separated and biodiesel is dried in a pan drier for 2 hrs at 110ºC. Then it is filtered to separate any traces of impurities. The final ready to use biodiesel

(Fig. 5. (a)), which was used for on-road trails from rice bran oil is following.

mixed separately and the mixture is slowly added to oil at 65ºC.

gets separated into two layers due to density difference.

In the bench scale level, Rice Bran Oil (RBO) experiments were carried out with standardized process conditions in high-pressure Parr Reactor (Fig.3.) inbuilt sophisticated controlling systems of reactor (20 l). Rice Bran Oil Biodiesel RBOBD (>150 l) was produced.

Fig. 3. Bench Scale lab Parr Reactor

In each lot, biodiesel sample has been analyzed for the conversion, fuel properties and composition. Quality consistency conformed by C13 and Proton of JEOL ECA 500 MHz NMR analysis and the composition by GCMS. All chemicals used were of LR/AR grade. A typical NMR spectrum show in Fig.4.

In the bench scale level, Rice Bran Oil (RBO) experiments were carried out with standardized process conditions in high-pressure Parr Reactor (Fig.3.) inbuilt sophisticated controlling systems of reactor (20 l). Rice Bran Oil Biodiesel RBOBD (>150 l) was produced.

In each lot, biodiesel sample has been analyzed for the conversion, fuel properties and composition. Quality consistency conformed by C13 and Proton of JEOL ECA 500 MHz NMR analysis and the composition by GCMS. All chemicals used were of LR/AR grade.

Fig. 2. Ready to use biodiesel samples

Fig. 3. Bench Scale lab Parr Reactor

A typical NMR spectrum show in Fig.4.

The brief process description has been followed at the Pilot-scale preparation of biodiesel (Fig. 5. (a)), which was used for on-road trails from rice bran oil is following.

Rice bran oil is filtered to remove any impurities. 69 lit. of moisture free refined oil is taken in a Pilot Plant scale reactor (Fig. 5. (b)) of capacity 120 lit. Fitted with a reflux condenser and heated with agitation to 65ºC. Then 345 gms of sodium hydroxide, 20.7 lit. of methanol are mixed separately and the mixture is slowly added to oil at 65ºC.

The reaction mixture is mixed well, temperature is maintained at 65-70ºC throughout the reaction and the reaction time is 150 min. When the reaction is complete, the contents are allowed to cool and transferred to a separating tank. After overnight settling, the mixture gets separated into two layers due to density difference.

The bottom layer-Glycerol is separated. The top layer - biodiesel is distilled at 65ºC to recover unreacted alcohol. Then the methyl ester is washed for 30 minutes at 50ºC with equal volumes of 0.1% dil. acetic acid to remove any traces of un reacted alkali. In case of emulsion formation after washing, saline water is used for second washing. The pH of the ester layer is adjusted to neutral while washing. After washing, the layers are allowed to settle for 30 min. The top layer is separated and biodiesel is dried in a pan drier for 2 hrs at 110ºC. Then it is filtered to separate any traces of impurities. The final ready to use biodiesel product is found to be 60 lit.

Gas-Liquid Process, Thermodynamic Characteristics (19 Blends),

Fig. 5. (b) Pilot Plant scale reactor

Efficiency & Environmental Impacts, SEM Particulate Matter Analysis… 323

Fig. 5. (a) Pilot-scale preparation of biodiesel (Fig. 5. (b))

Few thousand liters of Biodiesel produced in the pilot level which is used as feul in the on-Road bus trails. More than 26000 km exprimental trials were carried out in the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses in Chennai, Government of Tamil Nadu. Few clipings of MTC bus trails are shown in Fig.6. Initialy four buses have been taken for on-road trials in a single root but fuelled with different biodiesl percentage namely, B5, B10,B20 and B50. Then all the buses fuelled with 100% Biodiesel. The MTC, government of Tamil Nadu, has submitted the officeal report about the on –raod trials. The Fig. 7 showing the highligts signed by the MTC highre officails of the report in the reginal language namely TAMIL and Fig 8. Showing its translation in English.
