GLOBAL ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
Module 2: Sustainable Energy Sources
Production and advantages of Biodiesel :
Bio Diesel:
Biodiesel is non-toxic, and biodegradable replacement for petroleum diesel. Biogas is a renewable
source of energy produced from variety of vegetable oils such as soyabean, corn etc.
Production of Bio diesel:
It is produced by trans-esterification of vegetable oil or animal fat in presence of alcohol and a catalyst
(NaOH). The resulting mixture of monoalkyl esters of fatty acids is referred as bio diesel.
Where, Rx= R1, R2 & R3
Advantages:
1. It is non-toxic and renewable source of energy.
2. It is biodegradable.
3. It has higher cetane number.
4. It gives prolonged engine life.
5. It has higher cetane number.
6. Burns more efficiently than petroleum diesel.
Properties and Applications of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas):
Compressed natural gas is a fuel that can be used in place of petrol (gasoline), diesel and liquefied
Petroleum gas (LPG). 15kg of CNG contains 20cm3 of natural gas at 1 atmosphere.CNG is made by
compressing natural gas, which is mainly composed of methane (CH4) to a high pressure of
about 1000 atmosphere.
Composition: The primary component of CNG is methane (CH4) and other gases like nitrogen,
carbon dioxide and propane are also present in tracer quantities.
Properties:
1.CNG is colorless and odorless.
2.CNG is non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.
3.CNG is flammable lighter than air.
4.CNG has a high auto ignition temperature.
Applications:
1.CNG is used as a fuel in vehicles.
2.CNG is used in houses for cooking purposes.
3.CNG is used for power generation
4.CNG is used as a fuel in steel manufacturing industries, building material production and electronic
components.
Properties and Applications of Biogas
Biogas is produced by the degradation of biological matter by bacterial action (of anaerobic bacteria) in
absence of oxygen.
Ex: Biogas can be produced from raw materials such as cattle dung, agriculture waste, manure, municipal
waste, plant material, sewage and green waste or food waste.
Composition: CH4=55%, H2=7.4%, CO2=35%, N2=2.6% and traces of water.
DR. ANU K S, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY 1
GLOBAL ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
Properties:
1.Biogas is transparent with unpleasant odour.
2.Biogas has a high ignition speed.
3.Biogas is a greenhouse gas it burns without smoke.
4.Biogas is highly corrosive.
5.It has high heating capacity.
Applications:
1. Biogas is commonly used as cooking fuel.
2. Biogas is used as a fuel for the production of electricity
3. Biogas is used in instruments used for water heating and steam production
4. Biogas is used in waste management in agriculture.
5. Biogas can replace CNG in vehicles.
Generation of Energy (Green Hydrogen) by Electrolysis of Water:
Water electrolysis is the decomposition of water into its basic components, hydrogen and oxygen through
passing electric current. Electrolysis transforms electrical energy into chemical energy by storing electrons
in the form of stable chemical bonds. The new formed chemical energy can be utilized as a fuel or
converted back to electricity when required.
Electrolyser (Electrolysis Cell) consists of two electrodes called Cathode and Anode. Both cathode and
anode are separated by a membrane called electrolyte and surrounded by water. The electrolyte is a
compulsory part as pure water cannot carry charge due to the lack of ions.
At the anode, water is oxidized to oxygen gas.
At the cathode, water is reduced to hydrogen gas.
Alkaline Electrolysis (AEL):
In alkaline electrolysis, a strong base potassium or sodium hydroxide (KOH/NaOH) is commonly used as
an electrolyte. The electrolyte conducts electricity for electrolysis to occur.
The anode and cathode are separated by a diaphragm (separator) separating hydrogen and oxygen gases
and preventing them from mixing up again.
At the cathode, water is split to form H2 and releases hydroxide anions which pass through the diaphragm.
2H2O + 2e- H2 + 2OH-
At the anode, hydroxide ions pass through diaphragm and recombine to form O2.
2OH- ½ O2 + H2O + 2e-
Commercial alkaline electrolyser operates at 100oC to 150oC.
Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis (PEM):
In PEM electrolyser, the electrolyte is used in the form of solid specialty plastic material.
DR. ANU K S, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY 2
GLOBAL ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
At the anode, the process decomposes water to produce oxygen and protons (H+). Furthermore electrons
flow through an external circuit while hydrogen ions pass through the PEM to the cathode.
2H2O 4H+ + O2 + 4e-
At the cathode, hydrogen ions bond with electrons flowing from the external circuit and together, they
form hydrogen gas.
4H+ + 4e- 2H2
PEM electrolyser operates at 70oC to 90oC.
Advantages of Green Hydrogen:
1.Reduced greenhouse gas emission.
2.Reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
3.Enhances grid stability.
4.Energy efficient.
5.Versatile in nature.
DR. ANU K S, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY 3
