State-of-the-art technologies for biofuel production from triglycerides: A review

Feng Long, Weiguo Liu, Xia Jiang, Qiaolong Zhai, Xincheng Cao, Jianchun Jiang and Junming Xu

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2021, vol. 148, issue C

Abstract: Investigations and applications of renewable and sustainable energy have become central for addressing the issue of emissions of greenhouse gases from the use of fossil transportation fuels. Triglyceride-based liquid fuels have great potential as substitutes for petroleum and its derivatives. To date, the proven technologies for converting triglycerides into biofuels include transesterification, thermal cracking conversion, and hydrogenation. This paper presents an overview of recent research on these conversion technologies, employing homogeneous, heterogeneous, enzymatic, and photocatalytic catalysts. We focus on technical aspects critical to triglyceride conversion, including feedstock analysis, mechanism research, analysis of technological advantages and disadvantages, and catalyst development and selection. Biodiesel produced by the transesterification process must be blended with diesel before use due to its higher oxide content. The resultant “green diesel” has a broader range of applications, especially when its structure has been upgraded. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are reviewed to assess the renewability and sustainability of biofuels. We discuss the typical biodiesel production technologies with their development status, as well as the relevant policies and prospects for biofuels, mainly concerning biodiesel and aviation biofuel. It is hoped that our work will be of guiding significance for future biofuel research.

Keywords: Transesterification; Enzymatic; Thermal cracking conversion; Hydrogenation; Photocatalytic; Biodiesel; Green diesel; Aviation biofuel; Life cycle assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111269

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