Industrial Cannabis sativa: Hemp oil for biodiesel production

Abstract

This review paper highlights the production of biodiesel from hemp seed oil via transesterification reaction. Hemp seeds present a viable feedstock option for biodiesel production. This is demonstrated by the plants high yield, ability to grow on infertile soil, resilience to disease and bugs. Hemp biodiesel performs well in biodiesel blends. Hemp biodiesel yield was calculated at 207 gallons/ha. This is higher than the yield of biodiesel from rapeseed and soybeans oils but lower than that of palm oil. Hemp biodiesel can meet ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 requirements. Hemp biodiesel exhibit poor kinematic viscosity and oxidation stability. However, this can easily be improved with the use of additives. Dilution/blending, micro-emulsification, pyrolysis, and trans-esterification are the four techniques applied to solve the problems encountered with the high fuel viscosity. Hemp biodiesel provides substantial environmental benefits. The amount of emission reduction corresponds roughly to the biodiesel blend rating of the fuel. Hemp biodiesel may be used an alternative to the highly controversial biodiesel produced from palm oil. Hemp faces many perception and legal challenges that prevent wide-scale production of hemp seed oil. Hemp remains a niche crop in the food supply chains, rendering it prohibitively expensive as a feedstock in biodiesel production. Legalization and increased production of hemp oil may improve the cost of producing hemp oil and subsequently hemp biodiesel.