Biodiesel is Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) Produced by Trans Esterification of vegetable oils and fats. In this process the vegetable oil is treated with an acid catalyst followed by trans Esterification of the triglycerides by alcohol with the help of alkaline catalyst.

The appropriate Seed / Raw material for Biodiesel is JATROPHA (RATNJYOT) The crop start giving fruitful seed just after one year of harvesting. The Full yield (38-40%) comes by the end of third year, one hectare of land (100m x 100m) gives 4.0 M.T. of seed.

Technical specification of biodiesel produced by this process met the standard ASTM PS 121 and comparable to commercial diesel fuel.

Quality Parameter	Biodiesel	Petrodiesel	ASTM Psl21
Viscosity	5.0-5.6 cSt	4.6	1.6-6.0
Flash point	>120°C	72°C	>100°C
Cetane index	47-49	>40	>40
Conradson carbon residue	0.03-0.04	<0.10	<0.05
Density, g/cm2	0.8624	0.852	-

Biodiesel can be used as such as alternate fuel without any change in engine. As of now we are planning only for 5 to 20% of blend of biodiesel in petroleum fuels.

Although the application of biodiesel as petroleum diesel substitutes is being carried out. This is due to the energy crisis with the fast diminishingpetroleum reserves, greater environmental awareness, and the renewable source of vegetable oils as the biodiesel feedstock.

• emit less smoke
• emit less CO
• emit no SO2,

Thus, Biodiesel is environmentally friendly biofuel.