Improving Biodiesel Purity and Production Process

摘要

Fatty acid alkyl ester, also known as biodiesel, is a type of renewable fuel that is manufactured from animal fats; and vegetable oils such as, soya, canola, Jatropha, sunflower seed, and algae. There are a few methods for production of biodiesel, but the most commonly used method is transesterification. It is the chemical conversion of vegetable oils or animal fats to biodiesel. Biodiesel sources such as animal and plant fats that are composed of triglycerides, trihydric alcohol, and glycerol, are made to react with an alcohol, such as methanol or ethanol, in presence of a catalyst, such as lye. A chain of chemical reaction occurs to break down vegetable oil to form new compounds. The triglycerides are converted into alkyl esters, which can be used as biodiesel.