Biorefinery based on different vegetable oils: characterization of biodiesel and biolubricants

Abstract

The search for alternative and eco-friendly products such as biodiesel and biolubricants, as substitutes for petroleum-based products, is becoming more and more important. Thus, the production of biodiesel and biolubricants could be interesting, as it is based on renewable sources such as seed or fried used oils. For this reason, the use of vegetable oils could be important for the design of biorefineries, where many by-products could also be reused in the same biorefinery. The aim of this research work was to study the production of biodiesel and, especially, biolubricants from different raw materials (with the subsequent characterization), paying attention to their characteristics and their possible suitability for their production in a biorefinery. This way, optimum chemical conditions were used to carry out the transesterification of biodiesel and biolubricants. Concerning the production, high yields were obtained in all cases. Some characteristics were studied, such as fatty acid methyl ester profile, viscosity and oxidative stability, among others. Biodiesel products complied with the standards, concerning the main characteristics covered in this research work. Regarding biolubricants, in general, viscosity values were similar to those found in the literature, but longer induction points were found. In that sense, these parameters were highly influenced by the fatty acid profile of the raw material, which is important for both biodiesel and biolubricant performance. Therefore, the initial characterization of vegetable oils is important for the design of biorefineries.