Alternative Energy Source by Characterization and Transesterification

This book briefly examines the increasing degradation of the environment and emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere which has has led to the research and development of alternative to fossil fuels. Vegetable oil has been cited as one of these renewable sources; it is a triglyceride and composed of fatty acids is used in the production of Bio-diesel, an alternative source of energy. Consequently, bio-diesel has become more attractive recently because of its environmental benefits and the fact that it is made from renewable resources. Vegetable oil, as alternative engine fuel, is extremely viscous and as such has to be made less viscous in order to be used as bio-diesel. The process used in converting this vegetable oil to Bio-diesel is Transesterification. Therefore this book explains and gives data on how the vegetable oil that was used in the production of the Bio-diesel (castor seed) went through the a fore mentioned process.