The advantages of biodiesel over conventional petro diesel are:
A. Biodiesel produces significantly lesser CO₂ and SO₂.
B. It is non-renewable.
C. It has higher octane number.
D. It can be used in any ratio with petro-diesel.
E. It has lower flash point.
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

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UGC NET Paper 1: Held on 22nd Feb 2023 Shift 2

Answer 1

Key Points

Biodiesel:

Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable, and clean-burning fuel made from renewable resources such as vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking oils.
It is produced through a process called transesterification, where the oils or fats are chemically reacted with an alcohol (usually methanol) in the presence of a catalyst.
This reaction converts the oils or fats into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), which are the main component of biodiesel.

Conventional Petro Diesel:

Conventional petro diesel, also known as petroleum diesel or fossil diesel, is derived from crude oil through a refining process.
It is a non-renewable fuel and primarily consists of hydrocarbons. Petro diesel is a mixture of various hydrocarbon compounds, including alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Advantages of biodiesel over conventional petrol diesel are:

Biodiesel produces significantly lesser CO2 (carbon dioxide) and SO2 (sulfur dioxide) emissions. Biodiesel is considered a cleaner fuel compared to petro diesel, as it has lower carbon emissions and virtually eliminates sulfur emissions.
Biodiesel has a higher octane number, which indicates its better combustion properties and can lead to improved engine performance.
Biodiesel can be used in any ratio with petrol diesel, making it a flexible fuel option. It can be blended with petrol diesel in various proportions, such as B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% petrol diesel), B50, or even higher biodiesel blends, depending on the requirements and availability.

Option B is incorrect because biodiesel is actually renewable, not non-renewable.

Option E is incorrect because biodiesel generally has a higher flash point, which means it is less prone to ignite compared to petro diesel.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 3) A, C, and D Only.