Biodiesel Science and Technology: From Soil to Oil

Biodiesel production is a rapidly advancing field worldwide, with biodiesel fuel increasingly being used in compression ignition (diesel) engines. Biodiesel has been extensively studied and used in developed countries and is increasingly being introduced in developing countries, especially in regions with high potential for sustainable biodiesel production. Biodiesel Science and Technology provides a comprehensive reference on the technological developments involved in improving biodiesel quality and production capacity that are crucial to the future of the industry. This book begins by systematically reviewing feedstock resources and vegetable oil formulations, including the economics of vegetable oil conversion to diesel fuel. It also covers emerging energy crops for biodiesel production. The book then discusses the transesterification process, including chemical (catalysis) and biochemical (biocatalysis) processes, with extended coverage of industrial process technology and control methods and standards for biodiesel fuel quality assurance. Final chapters cover the sustainability, performance, and environmental issues of biodiesel production as well as routes to improve glycerol by-product usage and the development of next-generation products.

Table of Contents:
Biodiesel as a Renewable Energy Source Introduction. Energy policy. Transformation of biomass. Global biodiesel development. Value chain of biodiesel. Bibliography. References. Development of Non-Food Agricultural Industries for Biofuel Applications Introduction. Biofuels. Biomass potentials and limitations. Advanced agroenergy crops. Bibliography. References. Oleochemical Sources: Basic Science, Processing and Applications of Oils Introduction. Biochemistry of lipid metabolism. Modification of vegetable oil quality. Industrial use of vegetable oils. Unusual fatty acids. Oil processing techniques. Bibliography. References. Vegetable Oil Formulations for Utilisation as Biofuels Introduction. Fuel properties of oils and fats. Low-viscosity formulations. Bibliography. References. Feedstocks for Biodiesel Production Introduction. Global oilseed and oil production. Resources for biodiesel production. Main biodiesel crops. Minor edible oil crops. Fish oils. Algae mass culture systems. Oleaginous microorganisms. Non-edible oilseeds. Low-quality feedstocks. Bibliography. References. Emerging New Energy Crops for Biodiesel Production Introduction. Crop selection criteria for biodiesel application. Structure and quality parameters for evaluating alternative feedstocks. Agronomic potential of underexploited oil crops by region. Bibliography. References. Transesterification Processes for Biodiesel Production from Oils and Fats Introduction. Process variables. Transesterification kinetics. In situ transesterification. Non-catalytic fatty acid alkyl ester production. References. Biodiesel Catalysis Introduction. Homogeneous alkaline catalysis in biodiesel synthesis. Liquid-phase acid catalysis. Heterogeneous catalysis in biodiesel synthesis. Bibliography. References. Processes for Biodiesel Production from Unrefined Oils and Fats Introduction. Fatty acid esterification. Transesterification of acidic feedstocks. Jatrodiesel. Algal biodiesel. Vegetable oil soapstocks for biodiesel application. Tall biodiesel. Bibliography. References. Biocatalytic Production of Biodiesel Introduction. Enzymatic (trans)esterification. Bioplastic-to-biodiesel. Bibliography. References. Industrial Process Technology for Biodiesel Production Introduction. Biodiesel plant design and engineering. Selected proprietary transesterification processing technologies. Selected biodiesel producers. Biodiesel blending techniques. Bibliography. References. Analytical Methods and Standards for Quality Assurance in Biodiesel Production Introduction. Quality control of biodiesel feedstocks. Biodiesel standardisation. Biodiesel quality management. Biodiesel analytical methodology. Bibliography. References. Valorisation of the Glycerol By-Product from Biodiesel Production Introduction. Industrial glycerol production. Glycerol purification. Industrial uses and markets. Innovative use of glycerol. Renewable diesel synthesis without glycerol co-production. Bibliography. References. Sustainability and Use of Biodiesel Introduction. Energy balance. Life cycle assessment of biodiesel. Performance characteristics for biodiesel. Biodiesel cost structure. Biodiesel use and markets. Bibliography. References. Evolution of Biodiesel and Alternative Diesel Fuels Introduction. Second-generation biofuels. Biodiesel: the next generations. Hydroprocessing technology. Perspectives of biomass-to-liquid fuels. Renewable energy and biomass. Bibliography. References. Epilogue: Outlook for Biodiesel Science and Technology Introduction. State of the biodiesel industry. Challenges for the global biodiesel industry.

About the Author :
Jan C.J. Bart is a professor of industrial chemistry at the University of Messina, Italy. Natale Palmeri is a technologist at ISAB’s Priolo refinery in Sicily, Italy. Stefano Cavallaro is an associate professor of industrial chemistry at the University of Messina, Italy.