Recent Development of Biodiesel Feedstocks and the Applications of Glycerol: A Review

Abstract

Biodiesel, as renewable and biological origin alternative diesel fuel, has been receiving a lot of concern throughout the world due to the energy needs and environmental awareness. However, at present, it is not economically feasible to use food-grade vegetable oils to produce biodiesel because of the surge in feedstocks price. Much attention has been devoted to the application of lower-cost feedstocks to produce biodiesel. This paper provided a comprehensive review of biodiesel production from lower-cost non-edible oil sources, such as waste cooking oil (WCO), grease, soapstock, Jatropha oil, and algae. The engine performances of biodiesel produced from these feedstocks were further evaluated. This review also investigated the various applications for the value-added products from glycerol, the byproduct of biodiesel. Moreover, the challenges in terms of different feedstocks and by-product applications were further pointed out.

Selected Global Examples of Cellulosic Cropping System Trends

“…Diesel has been the standard for agriculture but its use is increasing to fuel urban generators that provide backup to unreliable power utilities and irrigation pumps during seasons of drought [26]. Investment in biodiesel development in India has largely focused on the cultivation and processing of Jatropha seeds, which are very rich (50%) in oil [27] and were reported to grow well on marginal lands. Questions regarding performance of Jatropha plantations have prompted the Indian Union Rural Development Ministry to put a hold on the Jatropha plantations, pending further development [27], and to explore other energy crops.…”

Enzymatic Production of Biodiesel from Microalgal Oil using Ethyl Acetate as an Acyl Acceptor

“…This process involves exchanging the organic group of an ester e.g. TG with the organic group of an acyl acceptor 3,4 . Carboxylic acids, alcohols, or other esters can be used as acyl acceptors.…”

Conversion of by-products from the vegetable oil industry into biodiesel and its use in internal combustion engines: a review

“…The use of byproducts for biodiesel production is a very good alternative for cost reduction of biofuel production and to solve related environmental problems (Fan and Burton, 2009;Yujaroen et al, 2009;Yu et al, 2010;Dias et al, 2013). This way, the ethical discussion about the competition of land use for food production against energy production (El Bassam, 2010;Balat, 2011) through biofuels can also be avoided (Budiman et al, 2012;El Bassam, 2010;Nigam and Singh, 2010).…”