Evaluation of Biodiesel and Its Mixture Made from Pongamia pinnata (L) Pirrei Seeds

Abstract

Pongamia pinnata seeds, also referred to as Indian beech in English and Karanja in Hindi, are incredibly valuable in Assam. The Assam Engineering College Campus in Jalukbari, Guwahati, is where the Pongamia pinnata seeds were obtained. After extracting the oil from the dried Pongamia pinnata seed, the transesterification process was used to create biodiesel, a renewable energy source. After that, it is mixed with petroleum diesel in various proportions to create five samples, designated B00, B10, B20, B30, and B100. Various devices were used to characterize biodiesel and its mixtures. Characterization of biodiesel includes determining its qualities, doing GC-MS analysis, FTIR analysis, CHN analysis, and pH value analysis. The different chemical components contained in the samples are identified using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The functional groups found in the samples are identified using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, which validates the compounds identified by GC-MS analysis. The CHN analyzer determines the samples' empirical formula and the proportions of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. Additionally, the samples' pH values are examined.