Biodiesel Fuel from Triglycerides via TransesterificationA Review

The aim of the present article is to investigate biodiesel production via transesterification process and effect of reaction parameters on conversion yield. Biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters) is a notable alternative to the widely used petroleum-derived diesel fuel since it can be generated by domestic natural sources such as soybeans, rapeseeds, coconuts, and even recycled cooking oil, and thus reduces dependence on diminishing petroleum fuel from foreign sources. The problems with substituting triglycerides for diesel fuels are mostly associated with their high viscosities, low volatilities, and polyunsaturated character. The purpose of the transesterification process is to lower the viscosity of the oil.