Project Materials

EXERGETIC ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BIODIESEL PRODUCTION FROM BOTH FRESH AND WASTE GROUNDNUT OIL USING ALKALI CATALYST METHOD

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study.

The growing global demand for sustainable and renewable energy sources has inspired intense study into biodiesel production. Biodiesel, obtained from biological sources, is a possible alternative to traditional fossil fuels, with benefits including biodegradability, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and compatibility with existing diesel engines (Demirbas, 2009).

Groundnut oil stands out among biodiesel feedstocks due to its high oil content and widespread availability, making it a viable alternative for large-scale biodiesel production (Meher et al., 2006).

Biodiesel manufacture from groundnut oil can use either fresh or waste oil. Fresh groundnut oil, noted for its cleanliness and high biodiesel yield, is more expensive and raises worries about competing with the food business, prompting ethical and economic questions (Gui et al., 2008).

Waste groundnut oil, which is often acquired from food processing and frying industries, is a less expensive and more environmentally friendly alternative.

However, it offers obstacles such as high amounts of free fatty acids and contaminants, which might have an impact on the transesterification process and ultimate product quality (Issariyakul & Dalai, 2014).

The alkali-catalyzed transesterification process is commonly used for biodiesel production due to its efficiency and short reaction durations.

This process comprises the interaction of triglycerides in the oil with an alcohol, often methanol, in the presence of an alkali catalyst such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, resulting in the synthesis of biodiesel (methyl esters) and glycerol as a byproduct (Freedman et al., 1986).

Despite its benefits, the alkali-catalyzed approach necessitates precise control over reaction conditions and feedstock quality in order to maximise yields and minimise byproducts (Ma & Hanna, 1999).

Exergy analysis has become an important technique for assessing the efficiency and sustainability of biodiesel production processes. Unlike traditional energy analysis, which focusses primarily on energy quantity, exergy analysis takes into account energy quality and work potential, resulting in a more comprehensive assessment of system performance (Dincer & Rosen, 2013).

Exergy analysis identifies and quantifies irreversibilities and losses in the production process, highlighting areas for potential improvement and efficiency increase (Zhang et al., 2011).

Integrating exergy and economic analysis provides a better understanding of the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of producing biodiesel from fresh and waste groundnut oil.

This integrated method considers elements such as feedstock costs, catalyst usage, energy consumption, and environmental implications, allowing for a comparative assessment of the benefits and challenges associated with each feedstock. It directs decision-making towards more sustainable