Catalysts used in biodiesel production: a review

Abstract

One of the most important issues in today’s world involves supplying energy through renewable materials using synthetic methods and no use of fossil fuels. In recent years, significant attention has been paid to biodiesel fuel, which produces low environmental pollution and is compatible with diesel engines. However, various parameters must be considered in its production, including reaction time, type of catalyst, solvent, feed or raw materials, alcohol:oil molar ratio, cost of production, method and catalyst recycling process. This study investigates the efficiency of various catalysts such as nano-catalysts that have been used in recent years and compares their advantages and disadvantages. The results and data obtained from previous studies indicate that the type of catalyst may be determined with regard to high contact surface, easy separability, low preparation time, low cost incurred and the raw material used in this process. The raw materials in question can be animal oil, vegetable oil or burnt and recycled oil.

KEYWORDS:

• Acidic and alkaline catalysts
• biodiesel
• enzymatic nano‐catalysts
• transesterification

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank Islamic Azad University Doroud branch, for providing me all the necessary facilities for the research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.