Biodiesel and Its Importance as an Alternative Energy Source for the Fuel Crisis

Abstract

Upsurging of the population throughout the world has given a negative effect on daily energy consumption. Fossil fuel reserves are decreasing gradually due to the energy demand and the need of finding alternatives is growing. Biodiesel is such an alternative that derived from crops and animals. It is also contributing to the green environment as it does not emit carbon dioxides, carbon monoxides, hydrocarbons and particulate matter comparative to petroleum diesel. There are several types of oils and fats that are used in deriving biodiesel such as edible oil and non-edible oils. Palm oil, jatropha oil, soybean oil, castor oil, algae and animal fats are some of the feedstocks used in producing biodiesel. Waste cooking oil is an economical alternative for the sources of biodiesel. The triglycerides of oils and fats are used to produce alcohols and esters which could be result from catalytic or non- catalytic reactions. Biodiesel is composed of mono-alkyl esters of long-chain fatty acids and is synthesized mainly by pyrolysis, microemulsion and transesterification. The transesterification is the most common and widely used method of manufacturing biodiesel. Acid catalyzed transesterification, alkali catalyzed transesterification, enzyme catalyzed transesterification and non-catalytic esterification are broadly used in the transesterification process. Properties, such as, cetane number, cloud and pour point, density and viscosity have an enormous impact on the quality of biodiesel. This chapter provides an overview of the manufacturing process and characteristics of biodiesel.