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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #336512
Research Project: Industrial Monomers and Polymers from Plant Oils

Location: Bio-oils Research

Title: Biodiesel

Author
item Moser, Bryan

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/7/2017
Publication Date: 12/7/2017
Citation: Moser, B.R. 2018. Biodiesel. In: Konur, O., editor. Bioenergy and Biofuels. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p. 121-144.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Biodiesel is a renewable alternative to petrodiesel that is prepared from plant oils or animal fats. Biodiesel is prepared via transesterification and the resulting fuel properties must be compliant with international fuel standards such as ASTM D6751 and EN 14214. Numerous catalysts, methods, and lipid sources with varying fatty acid profiles can be used to prepare biodiesel. Fuel properties of biodiesel are dependent on fatty acid profile and the presence of various contaminants and minor components. Commodity lipids such as soybean oil or canola oil can be used as feedstocks for biodiesel, but low-cost non-food alternatives improve process economics. These topics and others are reviewed in depth to provide the reader with an introduction to the topic of biodiesel.