The Ideal Vegetable Oil-based Biodiesel Composition: A Review of Social, Economical and Technical Implications

Abstract

Though a considerable number of publications about biodiesel can be found in literature, several problems remain unsolved, encompassing economical, social, and technical issues. Thus, the biodiesel industry has come under attack by some environmental associations, and subsidies for biofuel production have been condemned by some governments. Yet, biodiesel may represent a truly competitive alternative to diesel fuel, for which fuel tax exemption and subsidies to energetic crops are needed. Biodiesel must increase its popularity among social movements and governments to constitute a valid alternative of energy source. In this sense, the use of nonedible oils to produce biodiesel is proposed in the present review. Moreover, the compromise of noninterference between land for energetic and food purposes must be addressed. Concerning technical issues, it is important to consider a transesterification optimization, which is missing or incomplete for too many vegetable oils already tested. In most cases, a common...