Microwave Irradiation Assisted in Continuous Production of Biodiesel and Its Effects in a 100 kW Diesel Generator

Abstract

This paper studied the effect of microwave irradiation on the continuous transethylation ofused vegetable oil. The conversion yield from used vegetable oil to biodiesel was analyzed usinghigh performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The physical properties of biodiesel were investigatedusing ASTM standards. The biodiesel product was fueled in a 100 kW diesel generator for testing interm of performance and emission. The engine load was varied from 0 kW to 75 kW (at 25 kWintervals) at maximum electrical rating using an electrical loading device and comparing its performanceto high speed diesel engine.

The results showed that a complete conversion occurred within 30 seconds using thecontinuous transethylation with microwave irradiation process. The performance of the engineoperated using biodiesel was slightly lower than that using high speed diesel fuel. Comparied withhigh speed diesel fuel, the biodiesel generated lower emissions of NO_x, CO and HC except for the75 kW engine load where the biodiesel produced higher levels of NO_x.

Keywords : Biodiesel / Microwave / Performance and Emission / Transesterification /Used Vegetable Oil