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Biodiesel and Biofuels Production

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A4: Bio-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 December 2023) | Viewed by 17305

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Basudeb Saha

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK
Interests: greener and sustainable chemical processes; low-carbon approaches to energy; biodiesel and biofuels production; conversion of carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals and fuels; continuous flow reactions; process intensification; heterogeneous catalysis and reaction engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite submissions to a Special Issue of the “Energies” journal on the topic of “Biodiesel and Biofuels Production”. With the increase in the world’s population, the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, and the atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases, it is necessary to find new technologies and alternative energy sources that can be renewable and sustainable. Biofuels have the potential to solve the environmental concerns and mitigate climate change. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that is a competitive alternative for petro-diesel as well. The conversion of biomass to bioenergy has received significant attention for the development of a renewable and environmentally friendly source of energy for alternative fuels, since it does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Global solid waste production has seen a dramatic increase over recent years, and research has been focused on the valorisation of biomass waste for the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight the recent advances in biofuels and bioenergy production. Bioenergy production would play a major role in developing a more sustainable society, tackling climate change, and reducing the dependency on fossil resources. Moreover, process economics and policy aspects are essential for stakeholders as well. To address these issues, it is necessary to focus on the dissemination of research from basic science to the development of new processes, technologies and applications.

For this Special Issue, we would like to encourage original contributions regarding recent developments and ideas in biofuels and bioenergy production. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following: biofuels; biodiesel; bioenergy; transesterification of vegetable and animal oils; biomass conversion; lignocellulosic feedstock; renewable energy; bioprocesses and bioproducts; biomass and feedstocks utilisation; bioethanol; biopolymers; thermochemical conversion of biomass—combustion, pyrolysis, gasification and catalysis; biomass-derived fuels and chemicals; biological residues; bioenergy utilisation; biomass and the environment; integrated biorefinery approach; energy conservation; energy efficiency; socio-economic and policy issues; life cycle assessment (LCA); energy systems; supply chains and techno-economic analysis.

Prof. Dr. Basu Saha
Guest Editor

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Biofuels
  • Biodiesel
  • Bioenergy
  • Bioproducts
  • Bioethanol
  • Biopolymers
  • Biorefinery
  • Biomass conversion
  • Lignocellulosic feedstock
  • Biomass-derived fuels and chemicals
  • Thermochemical conversion
  • Gasification
  • Pyrolysis
  • Sustainable fuels
  • Renewable energy
  • Energy efficiency
  • Bioeconomy
  • LCA
  • Public acceptance
  • Policy aspects

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 944 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of Biodiesel Produced from Crude Palm Oil through Non-Alcohol Synthesis Route Using Dimethyl Carbonate and Immobilized Eco-Enzyme Catalyst
by Reza Nageubri Balfas, Azhari Muhammad Syam, Muhammad Muhammad, Adi Setiawan and Herman Fithra
Energies 2024, 17(7), 1551; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071551 - 24 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1554
Abstract
Biodiesel, an alternative to traditional diesel, is essential for the sustainability of long-term energy supplies and often synthesized through a non-alcoholic route called interesterification. The described synthesis method facilitates the modification of oil and fat by exchanging acyl radical groups between triglyceride and [...] Read more.
Biodiesel, an alternative to traditional diesel, is essential for the sustainability of long-term energy supplies and often synthesized through a non-alcoholic route called interesterification. The described synthesis method facilitates the modification of oil and fat by exchanging acyl radical groups between triglyceride and alcoholic acid (alcoholysis), fat (acidolysis), or ester (transesterification). Therefore, this research aimed to determine the effect of the reactant ratio between crude palm oil (CPO) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC), along with the use of an eco-enzyme catalyst, on biodiesel characteristics. The CPO:DMC ratio was 1:1.5, 1:2, 1:2.5, and 1:3, while the immobilized eco-enzyme catalyst was 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, and 6% of CPO mass. The results showed that interesterification with a 1:3 reactant ratio using a 4%wt catalyst was the best procedure, producing biodiesel yield of 73.65%, density of 0.860 g/mL, viscosity of 4.63 mm2/s (cSt), flash point of 113 °C, calorific value of 34.454 MJ/kg, and cetane number of 70.6%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiesel and Biofuels Production)
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17 pages, 2371 KiB  
Article
Ion Exchange Resin and Entrapped Candida rugosa Lipase for Biodiesel Synthesis in the Recirculating Packed-Bed Reactor: A Performance Comparison of Heterogeneous Catalysts
by Ibnu Maulana Hidayatullah, Frederick Soetandar, Pingkan Vanessa Sudiyasa, Patrick Cognet and Heri Hermansyah
Energies 2023, 16(12), 4765; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16124765 - 16 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1695
Abstract
Ion exchange resins and immobilized lipase as heterogeneous catalysts are used to synthesize biodiesel for alternative fossil fuels. The use of ion exchange resins in the solid and activated phase can ease the separation process. Furthermore, resins can be reactivated and used repeatedly, [...] Read more.
Ion exchange resins and immobilized lipase as heterogeneous catalysts are used to synthesize biodiesel for alternative fossil fuels. The use of ion exchange resins in the solid and activated phase can ease the separation process. Furthermore, resins can be reactivated and used repeatedly, reducing the need for catalysts. On the other hand, an immobilized enzyme is biodegradable and can catalyze the transesterification process to produce biodiesel with a lower alcohol-to-oil ratio, minimizing side reactions and impurities. Therefore, the catalysts used in this study are ion exchange resins, such as Lewatit MP-64, Amberlite IRA410Cl, and Diaion PK208LH, as well as immobilized Candida rugosa lipase. By using vegetable oil as a feedstock and methanol for the transesterification, biodiesel production was carried out in a packed bed reactor. The present study aims to investigate the optimum process parameters, including the concentration of resin and enzyme, resin activation time, resin types, flowrate, and stability of resin and enzyme on the biodiesel yield. The results showed that the optimum conditions for biodiesel production with ion exchange resin were 4 g of resin, activated for 3 h, and synthesized for 3 h; Lewatit obtained a biodiesel yield of 94.06%, Amberlite obtained 90.00%, and Diaion obtained 73.88%. Additionally, the stability test of the reactivated Lewatit resin showed that it still has the capability of producing biodiesel with a yield of more than 80% after three regeneration cycles. In contrast, Candida rugosa lipase as was immobilized by entrapment in sodium alginate before being used in the biodiesel production for 12 h. The results showed that lower flowrate in enzymatic biodiesel synthesis produced a higher amount of biodiesel, of up to 71.1%. Nonetheless, immobilized lipases can be used up to three times without a significant loss in biodiesel yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiesel and Biofuels Production)
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13 pages, 1660 KiB  
Article
Biodiesel from Rapeseed and Sunflower Oil: Effect of the Transesterification Conditions and Oxidation Stability
by Elena Khan, Kadir Ozaltin, Damiano Spagnuolo, Andres Bernal-Ballen, Maxim V. Piskunov and Antonio Di Martino
Energies 2023, 16(2), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16020657 - 5 Jan 2023
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4315
Abstract
In this study, we produced biodiesel fuel from two vegetal sources, rapeseed oil and sunflower oil, by transesterification reaction. The study aims to evaluate the impact of type of alcohol, its concentration and the reaction time, while keeping constant the temperature and the [...] Read more.
In this study, we produced biodiesel fuel from two vegetal sources, rapeseed oil and sunflower oil, by transesterification reaction. The study aims to evaluate the impact of type of alcohol, its concentration and the reaction time, while keeping constant the temperature and the catalyst on the yield and quality of the biodiesel. For alcohol, methanol and ethanol were used at a molar ratio with the oil from 3 to 24. Transesterification was performed at various reaction times; 20, 40, 60 and 90 min for each oil and defined alcohol:oil molar ratio. The influence of these parameters on the biodiesel yield and properties were investigated in terms of density, viscosity, heating value, flash point, elemental content, density and oxidative stability of the final product. The benefit of oxidation stabilizers, catechol and 4-allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol was investigated. Results demonstrate that for rapeseed oil, the optimum reaction conditions to obtain a higher yield and quality of biodiesel were an alcohol:oil molar ratio of 15:1, with 60-min reaction time at 50 °C; while in the case of sunflower oil, the best yield and biodiesel quality were at an 18:1 molar ratio, with a 40-min reaction time and at 50 °C. In both cases, methanol provides the highest yields of biodiesel, and the obtained products satisfy the required standards and present a similarity with mineral diesel tested in same conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiesel and Biofuels Production)
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15 pages, 3012 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation of Biodiesel Blends with High-Speed Diesels—A Comprehensive Study
by Bhawna Yadav Lamba and Wei-Hsin Chen
Energies 2022, 15(21), 7878; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15217878 - 24 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1768
Abstract
Biodiesel is a clean-burning, alternative diesel replacement fuel that may be used in existing diesel engines in either pure or blended form without or with modest modifications. In some countries, biodiesel is recommended as a potential alternative to diesel fuel since it is [...] Read more.
Biodiesel is a clean-burning, alternative diesel replacement fuel that may be used in existing diesel engines in either pure or blended form without or with modest modifications. In some countries, biodiesel is recommended as a potential alternative to diesel fuel since it is a renewable energy source that is environmentally benign. The main problems with the widespread commercialization of biodiesel are its high viscosity and its limited feedstock, due to which complete replacement of diesel fuel is not possible and the use of blends of biodiesel and petrodiesel are being used increasingly worldwide. The paper presents a behavioral study of the petro-based diesel, and their blend (B20, B40, B60, B80) with Pongamia and Jatropha biodiesel. The results reveal a considerable viscosity lowering due to the dilution effect of increasing diesel concentration in both the cases. In addition, improvements in oxidation stability in both cases have also been observed. The research shows that as the biodiesel concentration increases, the stability of blends decreases. In blending Jatropha curcus methyl ester with EURO-III and EURO-IV HSD, the ester’s viscosity decreased as the diesel level in the blends increased, and blends comprised up to 80 percent biodiesel remained below the viscosity limit. Pongamia pinnata blends with both fuels above 60% diesel; however, exceeds the stipulated viscosity limit of 4.50 cSt at 40 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiesel and Biofuels Production)
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22 pages, 6515 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Optimisation of Biodiesel Production Conditions via Supercritical Methanolysis of Waste Cooking Oil
by Omar Aboelazayem, Mamdouh Gadalla and Basudeb Saha
Energies 2022, 15(10), 3766; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15103766 - 20 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1756
Abstract
Biodiesel has been established as a promising alternative fuel to petroleum diesel. This study offers a promising energy conversion platform to valorise high acidity waste cooking oil (WCO) into biodiesel in a single-step reaction via supercritical methanol. Carbon dioxide (CO2) has [...] Read more.
Biodiesel has been established as a promising alternative fuel to petroleum diesel. This study offers a promising energy conversion platform to valorise high acidity waste cooking oil (WCO) into biodiesel in a single-step reaction via supercritical methanol. Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been used as a co-solvent in the reaction with a catalytic effect to enhance the production of biodiesel. This work provides an in-depth assessment of the yield of four fatty acids methyl esters (FAME) from their correspondent triglycerides and fatty acids. The effects of four independent process variables, i.e., methanol to oil (M:O) molar ratio, temperature, pressure, and time, have been investigated using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Four quadratic models have been developed between process variables and the yield of FAMEs. The statistical validation of the predicted models has been performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Numerical optimisation has been employed to predict the optimal conditions for biodiesel production. The predicted optimal conditions are at 25:1 M:O molar ratio, 254.7 °C, 110 bar within 17 min resulting in 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.13%, and 99.05% of methyl-oleate, methyl-palmitate, methyl-linoleate, and methyl-stearate yields, respectively. The predicted optimum conditions have been validated experimentally. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiesel and Biofuels Production)
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13 pages, 1075 KiB  
Article
Production and Evaluation of Fractionated Tamarind Seed Oil Methyl Esters as a New Source of Biodiesel
by Ayesha Mushtaq, Muhammad Asif Hanif, Muhammad Zahid, Umer Rashid, Zahid Mushtaq, Muhammad Zubair, Bryan R. Moser and Fahad A. Alharthi
Energies 2021, 14(21), 7148; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14217148 - 2 Nov 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3828
Abstract
Biodiesel has attracted considerable interest as an alternative biofuel due to its many advantages over conventional petroleum diesel such as inherent lubricity, low toxicity, renewable raw materials, biodegradability, superior flash point, and low carbon footprint. However, high production costs, poor low temperature operability, [...] Read more.
Biodiesel has attracted considerable interest as an alternative biofuel due to its many advantages over conventional petroleum diesel such as inherent lubricity, low toxicity, renewable raw materials, biodegradability, superior flash point, and low carbon footprint. However, high production costs, poor low temperature operability, variability of fuel quality from different feedstocks, and low storage stability negatively impact more widespread adoption. In order to reduce production costs, inexpensive inedible oilseed alternatives are needed for biodiesel production. This study utilized inedible tamarind (Tamarind indica) seed oil as an alternative biodiesel feedstock, which contained linoleic (31.8%), oleic (17.1%), and lauric (12.0%) acids as the primary fatty acids. A simple and cost-effective high vacuum fractional distillation (HVFD) methodology was used to separate the oil into three fractions (F1, F2, and F3). Subsequent transesterification utilizing basic, acidic, and enzymatic catalysis produced biodiesel of consistent quality and overcame the problem of low temperature biodiesel performance. The most desirable biodiesel with regard to low temperature operability was produced from fractions F2 and F3, which were enriched in unsaturated fatty acids relative to tamarind seed oil. Other properties such as density and cetane number were within the limits specified in the American and European biodiesel standards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiesel and Biofuels Production)
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