Alternate fuel synthesis in supercritical solvents

Anant Sarve , Mahesh N. Varma*, Shreeram S. Sonawane.

Department of Chemical Engineering, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, 440010, India

Abstract: Mono-alkyl esters can be used as diesel fuel without any alteration in diesel engine. Synthesis of mono-alkyl ester namely by trans-esterification of edible and non- edible oil is one of the focus area for research due to high consumption of fuel all over world. This study mainly target synthesis of mono-alkyl ester using acid-base catalyst like sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. This study also looks for use of heterogeneous acid-base catalyst and an enzyme for biodiesel synthesis in which the downstream separation of product is easier. Various aspect of non catalytic synthesis of biodiesel under supercritical condition is also considered for study in this work. Overall study includes study of effect of temperature, reactant concentration and catalyst concentration on conversion.

Keywords: Alternate fuel, Acid-base catalyst, heterogeneous catalyst, enzyme for alternate fuel, supercritical fluids.

*Correspondence address: Dr. Mahesh N. Varma

Department of Chemical Engineering Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology Nagpur: 440010
Email: maheshnvarma@gmail.com
Phone: +91-9273083142.
All Authors email anant4u87@gmail.com maheshnvarma@gmail.com shriramsonawane@gmail.com