Techno-economic Aspects of Biodiesel Production and Characterization

Rising world prices, the growing demand for energy, and the need to mitigate the greenhouse effect are the driving force behind the renewed interest in the use of biofuels. Among the biofuels, biodiesel is one of the best available resources for diesel fuels in diesel engines. Chemically biodiesel is mono alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from renewable feed stock. This article provides in depth and systematic data (reviews from 1944-2010) on technical aspects of biodiesel which will be useful for research and commercial utilization of such promising fuel in a global scenario. This article focused on identification of biodiesel sources, production processes including, pyrolysis, dilution, microemulsion, the transesterification process, biodiesel fuel properties; technical aspects including engine emissions, combustion characteristics and engine performance, and the economic feasibility of biodiesel. This study concludes that biodiesel fuel is needed at this time and an option for the future to overcome the energy crisis and environmental hazards by adapting systematic approaches.