A review of production, properties and advantages of biodiesel

Continuous use of fossil fuels (non-renewable natural resources) are depleting fastaly and its burning cousing accumulation of carbon dioxide in the environment. Renewable carbon neutral transport fuels are required for environmental and economic sustainability. Biodiesel derived from oil crops is a potential renewable carbon neutral alternative to petroleum fuels. It consists of monoalkyl esters of long-chain fatty acids and is primarily produced by direct use and blending, microemulsions, thermal cracking (pyrolysis) and transesterification. The most commonly used method for biodiesel production is transesterification of vegetable oils and animal fats. There are several processes available for the transesterification reaction including batch process, supercritical processes, ultrasonic methods and microwave methods. The factors which influence the transesterification reaction are water content of oils or fats and free fatty acids, molar ratio of glycerides to alcohol, catalysts, reaction time and reaction temperature. In this present review, the importance, history, properties, sources and techniques for production of biodiesel are described.