BIODIESEL
Definition: Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable fuel produced from organic matter (biomass) such as plants, animals, or waste materials.
| Category | Property / Item | Value / Description |
|---|---|---|
| Derived From (FAME/FAEE) | Vegetable oils | Soybean, canola, palm |
| Animal fats | Tallow, poultry | |
| Algal oils | Sourced from algae | |
| Waste cooking oils | Recycled culinary oils | |
| Production Process | Transesterification | Reacting oils/fats with methanol/ethanol |
| Esterification | Converting fatty acids into biodiesel | |
| Characteristics | Density | 0.85-0.90 g/cm³ |
| Viscosity | 3.5-5.5 mm²/s (at 40°C) | |
| Sulphur content | <0.001% | |
| Flash point | 55-66°C | |
| Cetane number | 45-60 | |
| Benefits | Sustainability | Renewable energy source |
| Environmental | Reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) | |
| Emissions | Lower sulphur content | |
| Health | Improved air quality | |
| Economic Independence | Domestic production reduces dependence on imported oil | |
| Uses | Transportation | Diesel vehicles |
| Industrial applications | Generators, boilers | |
| Marine vessels | Bunker fuel | |
| Agriculture | Tractors, harvesters | |
| Types | B100 | 100% biodiesel |
| B20 | 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel | |
| B5 | 5% biodiesel, 95% petroleum diesel | |
| Standards | ASTM D6751 | USA Standard |
| EN 14214 | European Standard | |
| IS 15607 | Indian Standard | |
| Challenges | Economic | Higher production costs |
| Infrastructure | Compatibility issues with existing infrastructure | |
| Supply | Limited availability | |
| Consistency | Quality variability | |
| Feedstocks | Plant-based | Soybean oil |
| Plant-based | Canola oil | |
| Plant-based | Palm oil | |
| Animal-based | Animal fats | |
| Microorganisms | Algal oil | |
| Recycled | Waste cooking oil | |
| Production Methods | Method 1 | Transesterification |
| Method 2 | Esterification | |
| Method 3 | Hydrogenation | |
| Method 4 | Pyrolysis | |
| Biodiesel Blending | B5 | 5% biodiesel, 95% petroleum diesel |
| B10 | 10% biodiesel, 90% petroleum diesel | |
| B20 | 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel |