Biodiesel production using heterogeneous catalysts

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 102; no. 3; pp. 2151 - 2161
• Main Authors: Semwal, Surbhi, Arora, Ajay K., Badoni, Rajendra P., Tuli, Deepak K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2011; [New York, NY]: Elsevier Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: Air pollution; Animals; Biodiesel; Biofuel production; Biofuels; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Catalysis; Catalysts; Energy; Esterification; Fats - chemistry; Fatty Acids - chemistry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glycerides; Heterogeneous catalyst; Homogeneous catalyst; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Natural gas; Plant Oils - chemistry; Separation; Transesterification; Washing; Heterogeneous catalyst; Biodiesel; Homogeneous catalyst; Heterogeneous catalysis; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.10.080

The production and use of biodiesel has seen a quantum jump in the recent past due to benefits associated with its ability to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG). There are large number of commercial plants producing biodiesel by transesterification of vegetable oils and fats based on base catalyzed (caustic) homogeneous transesterification of oils. However, homogeneous process needs steps of glycerol separation, washings, very stringent and extremely low limits of Na, K, glycerides and moisture limits in biodiesel. Heterogeneous catalyzed production of biodiesel has emerged as a preferred route as it is environmentally benign needs no water washing and product separation is much easier. The present report is review of the progress made in development of heterogeneous catalysts suitable for biodiesel production. This review shall help in selection of suitable catalysts and the optimum conditions for biodiesel production.