Biodiesel and green diesel production, upgrading of fats and oils from renewable sources

Abstract

The alternative to conventional diesel or fossil diesel is biodiesel. It can be produced from either fats and oils (vegetable oils, used cooking oils). Production of biodiesel can be carried out chemically by esterification or transesterification reactions. These reactions take place between the fats or oil with short chain or low molecular weight alcohol such as ethanol and methanol. Commonly, ethanol is being used due to its low cost. However, when methanol is used in the reactions, greater conversion of fats and oils into biodiesel can be reached.