A review on the environmental life cycle assessment of biodiesel production: Selection of catalyst and oil feedstock

Abstract

Biodiesel is one of the ideal options, considering it is a renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic, environmentally friendly fuel with low pollutant emission. However, biodiesel encounters challenges, mostly connected to its high manufacturing costs, that hinder its continued development and advancement. Focusing on more affordable and environmentally friendly inputs, such as suitable and abundant feedstock and efficient catalysts, is crucial. This paper aims to summarize the literature on biodiesel production and life cycle assessment (LCA) studies, critically review the catalyst and oil feedstock employed, and the findings of the LCAs, focusing on spotting prospective low-cost feedstock sources. Furthermore, an overview of recent LCA-related works applied in various biodiesel processes incorporating various catalysts and oil feedstock was evaluated. The application of LCA and its environmental impacts in biodiesel production was discussed and summarised in table form. The importance of using a sustainable and favorable approach could result in cost-efficient biodiesel production. Additionally, the advantages and limitations of the LCA in biodiesel production have been discussed. Last, the status and challenges of LCA in biodiesel production are covered. The findings of using cheaper feedstock are expected to inspire future studies and help industry professionals develop sustainable biodiesel production.