Production of Bio-Diesel from Cucumis Sativus Seed oil involving Crystalline Manganese Carbonate – A Green (Nanosized) Catalyst

Abstract

This paper focuses on the production of bio-diesel from low cost feed stock CucumisSativus seed oil using MnCO3 as a Green (Nanosized) catalyst through transesterification process and investigating the effects of process parameters on bio-diesel yield. The optimum parameters for maximum bio-diesel yields were found to be methanol/oil molar ratio of 1:1, catalyst concentration of 1 wt% of oil, at the temperature of 65^°C and reaction time 3 hours (180 min). The maximum bio-diesel yield at the optimum condition was 86%. Crystalline manganese carbonate was found to be environmentally friendly, easy to handle and non-corrosive green catalyst for the production of biodiesel from cucumber seed oil. The enhancement of the parameters are possible because of the Nano nature of the catalyst used. The results demonstrated high potential of producing economically viable biodiesel from low cost feed stocks with proper optimization of the process parameters.