Biofuels from oilseed fruits using different thermochemical processes: opportunities and challenges

Abstract

The characterization of the physical–chemical properties and the thermal behavior of oilseed fruits for biofuels production has gained interest in the scientific community and society more generally, in particular with regard to their use as partial replacements for fossil fuels and for the possible reduction of air pollutants that cause problems for human health, animals, and plants. These oilseed fruits, which are rich in lipids, triglycerides, fatty acids, carotenoids, and other greasy compounds, can be transformed into solid, liquid, and gaseous products by different thermochemical conversion processes (conventional combustion, pyrolysis, oxy-fuel combustion, gasification and transesterification). This review investigates the different oleaginous feedstocks commonly found in the forests and plantations of Brazil – for example, olive stones, palm fruits, babassu coconut, macauba fruits, tucumã seeds and soybeans, and the respective residues generated from biofuel production and manufacturing processes. The main opportunities and challenges associated with the use of biofuels produced from these oilseed fruits lie in the fact that internal combustion engines using fossil fuels do not need to undergo modifications and mechanical adaptations to operate, and there is no corrosion risk and / or deterioration of metallic parts. Biofuels produce less greenhouse gas, or their pollution is considered neutral. Finally, the native forests of Brazil and the world present a vast number of different oleaginous species that still need be studied because they have excellent potential to be used as biofuels, as they are renewable energy sources and are sustainably eco-friendly. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.