Supercritical synthesis of biodiesel

• Published in: Molecules Vol. 17; no. 7; pp. 8696 - 8719
• Main Authors: Bernal, Juana M, Lozano, Pedro, García-Verdugo, Eduardo, Burguete, M Isabel, Sánchez-Gómez, Gregorio, López-López, Gregorio, Pucheault, Mathieu, Vaultier, Michel, Luis, Santiago V
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 23.07.2012; MDPI
• Subjects: biocatalysis; biodiesel; Biofuels; catalysis; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid; Energy-Generating Resources - classification; Esterification; Ethanol - chemistry; Humans; ionic liquids; Ionic Liquids - chemical synthesis; Ionic Liquids - chemistry; Plant Oils - chemistry; Review; supercritical fluids; supported ionic liquids; Triglycerides - chemistry
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules17078696

The synthesis of biodiesel fuel from lipids (vegetable oils and animal fats) has gained in importance as a possible source of renewable non-fossil energy in an attempt to reduce our dependence on petroleum-based fuels. The catalytic processes commonly used for the production of biodiesel fuel present a series of limitations and drawbacks, among them the high energy consumption required for complex purification operations and undesirable side reactions. Supercritical fluid (SCF) technologies offer an interesting alternative to conventional processes for preparing biodiesel. This review highlights the advances, advantages, drawbacks and new tendencies involved in the use of supercritical fluids (SCFs) for biodiesel synthesis.