Pongamia pinnata, or pongamia, a leguminous, oil seed-bearing tree, has been identified as a potential biofuel source due to its robust nature. Native to humid and tropical environments, Hawai’i is an ideal location for production. Furthermore, byproducts of the conversion, such as seed pods and seed cakes, have potentials as solid fuel. The goal of this study is to investigate the fuel properties of Pongamia pinnata and its torrefied products. Pongamia trees from two locations in Oahu, HI were harvested to determine the characteristics of oil, pod, and seed cake to provide the data needed to assess the usefulness of pongamia as a biofuel. The high heating value (HHV) of pongamia seed, oil, cake, and pod was determined along with x-ray fluorescence (XRF) to determine metal content and ultimate analysis to determine carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur content. The oil was also analyzed for fatty acid profile, density, viscosity, iodine value, and flash point. Proximate analysis (moisture content, volatile matter, and ash content) and chlorine content was performed for all solid samples. The torrefied pod samples were characterized by HHV, XRF, ultimate analysis, proximate analysis, grindability, and chlorine content.

Evaluating fuel properties of Pongamia pinnata

2019 Fall National Meeting

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