Production, Characterization and biodegradability of Biodiesel from Mangifera indica Kernel oil

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

            Energy is essential to man’s continued existence. Today, the energy used by most industrialized and developing nations is oil, coal and natural gas. This need of energy is increasing continuously,1 fossil fuel reserves are fast depleting, crude oil prices are soaring and there is considerable uncertainty in their near-future availability. Countries lacking petroleum-based resources are facing foreign exchange crisis due to importation of crude oil. This increasing trend in world energy consumption can be attributed to a growing world population and activities of developing countries2. As world population continues to grow and the limited amounts of fossil fuels diminish, it may not be possible to provide the amount of energy demanded by only using fossil fuels to convert energy. And although, most countries are comfortable with the fairly low cost of converting fossil fuels as their main source of energy, there are problems associated with this: they are a major source of environmental pollution and the green house gas, CO2 which is associated with global warming.

            If we are to keep on the trend of increasing global consumption, resources are bound to run out. The amount of time until this happens depends on efforts from countries to tap into renewable resources2. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly certain that in the future agriculture will become a significant supplier of energy along with food3. Already, the renewable form of energy diversification, from our green fields, known as biofuels is gaining grounds and proving to be the viable complement to petroleum-based fuels. Due to its clean emissions, ease of use and many other benefits, biodiesel is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing alternative fuels in the world. It can be used either pure or in blends with diesel fuel in unmodified engines as it reduces some exhaust pollutants. Also, while it can be produced from animal fats, the main fuel stock is vegetable oils, which can be obtained from amazing variety of plants. 4