Chapter 1 - Synthesis of renewable diesel as a substitute for fossil fuels

Abstract

The importance of renewable fuel generation has been strongly highlighted in recent years. According to the global scenario, the requirement for renewable and nontoxic fuels is increasing considerably to maintain energy demand and further curb the environmental mutilation caused by fossil fuels. The decrease in the spread of greenhouse gases, government regulations to preserve nature and the unrestricted increase in the prices of petroleum products are the main reasons why renewable fuels are rising in great demand nowadays. This chapter has specifically illustrated renewable diesel, the possible feedstocks and production processes. However, the main focus was to build intensively with biodiesel and renewable diesel. We have also described the most used catalysts in the generation process and discussed their scope to make them low cost and environmentally friendly. In addition to mentioning its production and operation parameters, we have also included the narration of the comparative characteristics between petroleum diesel, biodiesel and renewable diesel to understand and differentiate these three types of fuels. Few companies have already started producing biodiesel and renewable diesel on an industrial scale and investigating to improve its yield and properties; however, manufacturing seems segregated. Therefore the advancement of technologies, research support and large-scale infrastructure for producing and distributing renewable diesel fuel represents its prospects for a green future.