Biodiesel Science and Technology From Soil to Oil

With biodiesel fuel being used increasingly in compression ignition (diesel) engines, biodiesel production has become a rapidly advancing field worldwide. Biodiesel has been extensively studied and utilized in developed countries, and it is increasingly being introduced in developing countries, especially in regions with high potential for sustainable biodiesel production. Biodiesel science and technology: From soil to oil begins with a systematic review of feedstock resources and vegetable oil formulations, including the economics of vegetable oil conversion to diesel fuel, as well as a discussion of emerging energy crops for biodiesel production. Further sections review the transesterification process, including chemical (catalysis) and biochemical (biocatalysis) processes, with extended coverage of industrial process technology and control methods, and standards for biodiesel fuel quality assurance. Final chapters cover the sustainability, performance and environmental issues of biodiesel production, as well as routes to improve glycerol by-product usage and the development of next-generation products.

This timely resource provides fuel engineers, researchers and academics with a comprehensive reference on the technological developments involved in improving biodiesel quality and production capacity that are crucial to the future of the industry.