A short review on approach for biodiesel production: Feedstock's, properties, process parameters and environmental sustainability

Abstract

Over the past few decades, an increase in industrialization and the population have been indicated as being critical to the need for energy. Higher pollution levels and rising fuel prices go hand in hand with the increasing demand for renewable energy. Apart from global warming, research interests were encouraged to develop sustainable fuels such as biodiesel, which is a renewable and sustainable substitute for petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel is produced from either oil derived from vegetables or animal fats via a catalytic transesterification process. Biodiesel has a few important advantages, such as stronger lubricity, a low level of toxicity, being derived from renewable feedstock, bio-degradability, low sulphur content, and lower levels of exhaust emissions than petroleum diesel fuel. In this comprehensive review, the approach to the biodiesel production process is discussed. This paper also described the benefits and drawbacks of biodiesel, the choice of different feedstock's, factors (process parameters) that affect biodiesel yield, and research conducted on various aspects of biodiesel properties in various regions around the world. Additionally, it explains the various biodiesel blends, economic and sustainable development, and future challenges associated with biodiesel production.