Effectiveness of biogenic waste‐derived heterogeneous catalysts and feedstock hybridization techniques in biodiesel production

Abstract

AbstractBiodiesel has the potential to contribute significantly to the elimination of the present global energy and climate change logjam, but its production and commercialization have been hindered by the diverse nature of the feedstocks used for production. This paper reviews the effectiveness of applying various types of crop and animal waste‐derived catalysts together with innovative feedstock hybridization as an economically viable technique for biodiesel production. Feedstock challenges, availability, and sustainability for large‐scale applications are addressed with a view to bridging the existing gaps. Challenges in the use of edible oils and algae oil sources and development remain, but the technique of feedstock hybridization appears to be very promising, innovative, and cost‐effective for biodiesel production. The present state of biodiesel production could be improved by the application of simple and cost‐effective technologies in the feedstock system. High free fatty acid (FFA) content is the major hurdle to the use of most oils, especially low‐grade/advanced oil feedstocks, in biodiesel production. This could be addressed through technological application of feedstock hybrids and biogenic waste‐derived heterogenous catalysts, and their biochemical modifications. Conventional technology for the large‐scale application of inorganically derived catalysts in biodiesel production with various characteristic differences is presented. Heterogenous catalysts derived from biogenic wastes and their modification could be used to overcome associated problems with the use of inorganic catalysts in biodiesel production. Biogenic waste‐derived heterogenous catalysts are renewable, available, eco‐friendly, and cost‐effective. Technological applications of heterogeneous catalysts derived from biogenic waste are outlined and reviewed, considering various materials and different modification techniques to identify appropriate options for scaling up development. This review also discusses fundamental considerations for the exploitation of feedstock hybrids to optimize biodiesel production and its sustainable development. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd