From planned study and economic proofs of all countries one can conclude that the demand for crude oil will never go down but all the more increase. Everyone for a fact knows that the price of crude oil products is certainly going to go up in future. People all over the world have started looking for substitutes to meet their needs and biodiesel has come as a boon for everyone. Biodiesel is one such fuel that can be derived from many sources and making biodiesl from soybeans is on of them.
Biodiesel consists of mono alkyl esters produced from vegetable oils, animal or old cooking oil that is also a type of fat. Soy biodiesel is fuel alternative produced from soybean oil,s ince it is widely available. Biodiesel contains no petroleum diesel, but it can be blended with petroleum diesel and use freely without any hassles
Soy biodiesel can be used in diesel engines with little or no modifications at all. Soy biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the soybean oil. The process gives two products: methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (used to make soap). The byproducts can be separated and only biodiesel can be used.
As compared to other methods of producing biodiesel, producing biodiesel from soybean oil is more of an advantage.
· Environment friendly - Soy biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel and other forms of biodiesel. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and soot, which results in less amount of pollution. The use of biodiesel does not increase the CO2 level in the atmosphere, since growing soybeans consumes also CO2. Biodiesel is also more biodegradable than conventional diesel.
· Better lubricant - Lubrication tests have demonstrated the lubrication advantage of biodiesel.
The production of soy-based biodiesel has a positive energy balance, due to the high energy value of ester-based feedstock's, the low-energy requirements of the conversion process, and the nitrogen-fixing characteristic of soybean.
If we go into the details of the process of making biodiesel from soybeans we can break up the process into –
· Process of transesterification. It involves the mixing of methanol, sodium hydroxide, the latter acting as the catalyst and also an oil is mixed which in this process is soybean oil.
· A reaction takes place with the catalyst making the reaction fast.
· The reaction yields out methyl esters, which is the scientific name for biodiesel and glycerin.
· Now both of them are separated and both of them can be utilized.
· Glycerin a byproduct can be used in the manufacture of soap and other products.
Biodiesel is biodegradable and nontoxic when used in its pure form – B100. For the 20% and lower blends, the diesel fuel portion of the blend determines the toxicity and biodegradability, which in turn determines the capacity of it.
Production of biodiesel will lead to a better world for everyone and making biodiesel from soybeans is one of the numerous ways that can help.
1 comment: