Factors Affecting Biodiesel Production from Non-edible Vegetable Oil Via Base-catalyzed Transesterification Process: Synthesis

Abstract

Biodiesel (fatty acid alkyl ester) has received attention as greener, renewable, alternative source of energy; and its utilization as diesel fuel is becoming an auspicious source of energy that can substitute the non-renewable petroleum products. It can make significant contributions in diminishing the emission of harmful gaseous due to combustion of conventional fuel sources and hence, it is helpful to overcome challenges associated with energy crisis coupled with environmental pollution, climate change and global warming. Biodiesel is a carbon-neutral fuel source, biodegradable, non-toxic and can be synthesized from locally available non-edible vegetable oils via base-catalyzed transesterification process. This study presents the insight of operational variables or factors that influence the processing and yield of biodiesel (fatty acid alkyl ester) through transesterification of non-edible vegetable oils. These operational variables include, the amount of free fatty acid (FFA) in the non-edible vegetable oils, moisture in the oils, the amount and types of alcohol used, the non-edible vegetable oil to alcohol molar ratio, time allowed for the reaction, intensity of mixing, temperature, types of catalyzed used, concentration of catalyst and purity of reactants. The considered variables for preparation of biodiesel should be optimized to achieve the maximum possible conversion of reactants and thereby provide the highest possible yield of biodiesel product at the minimum possible operational cost.