Optimized production and advanced assessment of biodiesel: A review

Abstract

Summary Biodiesel production is profitable only under special conditions. Technical challenges including methods to make the transesterification reaction more energy efficient and faster by using catalysts, controlling reaction conditions more efficiently in narrow range, or selection of appropriate feedstocks should be properly addressed to make biodiesel economical viable fuel. Cradle to grave assessment of biodiesel is provided in the present review article. Transesterification reaction variables that affect the purity and performance of biodiesel including quality of raw materials, molar ratio of alcohol to oil, type and concentration of used catalysts, concentration of free fatty acids, water content, temperature, and time required for the reaction are critically described to provide complete understanding and obtaining economical and optimal biodiesel yields. This article also provides a critical review of biodiesel properties such as density, viscosity, cetane number, cloud point, pour point, and flash point. The importance of analytical methods including gas chromatography, high‐performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy is presented and highlighted here in a novel way. Finally, this review will provide complete understanding to readers about biodiesel.

Optimization of ethanolic transesterification ultrasound‐assisted from oil mixtures utilizing Box‐Behnken design

“…The optimization of the process of producing biodiesel is very important in relation to the condition of the reaction, affecting the quality and the cost of products as well as obtaining a higher yield. 5,8,20 Many procedures of optimization may be utilized, among which response surface methodology (RSM) stands out. RSM is based on the evaluation of dependent variables (response, output) in relation to changes in independent variables (input), whereas are efficient and have modeling power.…”

“…The optimization of the process of producing biodiesel is very important in relation to the condition of the reaction, affecting the quality and the cost of products as well as obtaining a higher yield . Many procedures of optimization may be utilized, among which response surface methodology (RSM) stands out.…”

Microwave‐mediated noncatalytic synthesis of ethyl levulinate: A green process for fuel additive production

“…The fossil fuels depletion and global pollution have led to a tremendous demand for renewable energy. Biodiesel, a biomass‐derived fuel, has been synthesized worldwide to replace petroleum because of its benefits, which include biodegradability, renewability, and low emissions of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter . Among biofuel sources, ethyl levulinate has received considerable attention because it can be blended with petrodiesel and can be used as an oxygenate additive to biodiesel .…”

“…Biodiesel, a biomass-derived fuel, has been synthesized worldwide to replace petroleum because of its benefits, which include biodegradability, renewability, and low emissions of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter. [1][2][3] Among biofuel sources, ethyl levulinate has received considerable attention because it can be blended with petrodiesel and can be used as an oxygenate additive to biodiesel. 4 In addition, ethyl levulinate is produced from levulinic acid, which is a chemical derived from lignocellulose biomass 5,6 and thus is a means of producing biofuel from renewable sources.…”

Optimization of [Bmim][HSO4]‐Catalyzed Transesterification of Camelina Oil

“…Transesterification is the alcoholysis of triglycerides to produce fatty acid alkyl esters and glycerol [20,21]. It is recognized as the simplest and most economical route for biodiesel pro-duction [22] and is usually catalyzed by alkali, acids, or enzymes [23][24][25]. Acid-catalyzed transesterification proved to be an economical way to produce biodiesel [26,27].…”