Prospects Of Non-Edible Neem (Azadirachta Indica) Oil In Bangladesh: Performance And Emission Evaluation In A Direct Injection Diesel Engine

Transition to alternative energy is receiving serious attention globally and in this very way, biodiesel from inedible neem can bean alternative to conventional liquid fuels as it contains 30-45% wt of oil. In this study, esterification and transesterification reaction of methanol and triglycerides at a molar ratio of 7:1 was done and maximum 96% by volume biodiesel was extracted. Physiochemical properties of neem biodiesel lies within ASTM standards and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of neem biodiesel reveals the presence of strong esters and the alkane group. The maximum efficiencies were found to be 22.8% and 22.3%, whereas minimum brake specificfuel consumptions were observed to be 0.57 and 0.59 kg/kW-hr for diesel and B20, respectively. Moreover, B20 provides less emission of HC, COx and increase in NOx. Taking all into consideration, if at least 60% of the arid lands is utilised to cultivate neem trees then it will minimise the import of fossil fuel to an extent of 8.75%.