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Casting is unique manufacturing processes for variety of reasons. Perhaps the most important reason is, it can produce complex components in any metal and weight ranging from grams to several tons. It is age old technology used to produce complex shapes and for mass production. The defects produced specifically inside the component, during casting process are difficult to identify. These defects in turn become cause of component failure in operating condition. FEA tools gives better understanding of process and can predict any defect produced in the casting process. It also helps to optimize entire process. Thus, use of software are becoming necessity in the industry to avoid rejections / last minute surprise. This paper describes use of simulation to predict casting defects accurately in existing casting component. This provides in depth understanding of existing casting process.

Castings by virtue of their manufacturing process route are prone to induce various defects which are likely to affect adversely during its service life, causing pre-mature failures. Multiple destructive and non-destructive evaluation techniques are practiced to analyze these defects and suitable measures are taken to ensure quality castings and avoid pre-mature failures. Accurate detection for each type of defect is key factor during analysis to adopt desired modifications in process and /or product stage.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel which is made through a chemical process which converts vegetable oils and fats of natural origin into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The most usual method to transform Bio-oil into biodiesel is Transesterification that can be carried out using different catalyst systems. Jatropha is second generation, non-edible oil and can be used for producing biodiesel. The Transesterification reaction consists of heating jatropha oil with proper concentration of methanol at appropriate temperature in the presence of catalyst. After reaction, the mixture is allowed to settle down for 8-10 hrs. Two separate layers, top layer of biodiesel and lower layer of glycerol will form, which can be separated. Reaction temperature, amount of methanol, catalyst and reaction time are important parameters which decide yield and quality of biodiesel.