A Review on Biodiesel Production

Abstract

The current focus on renewable energy as a means of mitigating carbon footprint and emission of greenhouse gases has gathered momentum over the years. Biodiesel is one of the promising alternatives for the replacement of the conventional diesel. Currently about 36 billion liters of biodiesel has been produced globally by different countries using various feedstock such as edible oils, non-edible oils, algae oil, genetically modified microbes and waste sludge oils. Several techniques such as direct blending, microemulsion, thermal cracking and transesterification etc, have been used for production of biodiesel from various feedstock. The measure of the effectiveness of any technique depends on ease of operability and the percentage yield obtained at the end of the production process. Economic feasibility studies and life cycle assessment of biodiesel showed positive outcome indicating that biodiesel production and utilization is viable and sustainable.