Energy estimations for life-cycle analysis of jatropha, neem, and karanja biodiesels - a parametric study.

The present article deals with the study of environmental impacts of using biodiesels derived from jatropha, karanja, and neem tree using an energy life-cycle analysis approach. To evaluate the energy consumption during the life cycle of jatropha, karanja, and neem biodiesel as fuel for compression ignition (CI) engine, a cradle-to-grave analysis is carried out. Net energy ratio is calculated for each biodiesel by the ratio of the energy output of the system in the form of fuel energy delivered to the compression ignition engine and the cumulative energy demand of the system. Net energy ratios for jatropha, karanja, and neem biodiesel life cycles are R1 = 1.2325, R2 = 1.6425, and R3 = 1.6479, respectively. Life-cycle energy ratio of biodiesels shows that all the three fuels are renewable. It is concluded from the study that all biodiesels have higher output than inputs in terms of energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]