Intensification of biodiesel production via ultrasonic-assisted process: A critical review on fundamentals and recent development

Biodiesel is a good alternative fuel to petroleum diesel. It is produced through transesterification reaction between vegetable oil or animal fats and alcohol. The process faces various problems related to the immiscible nature of the reactants causing poor mass transfer rate. This drawback is responsible for long reaction time and low reaction rate leading to an energy intensive process. Process intensification through the use of active catalyst, pressure reactor, high temperature, high stirring rate or even non-conventional approaches such as supercritical method and Biox process often subjects to drawbacks with respect to energy consumption, product quality and reactants cost. This paper highlights recent development in the production of biodiesel under ultrasonic irradiation conditions. It handles the drawback of poor immiscibility between reactants as ultrasonic energy can emulsify the reactants to reduce the catalyst requirement, reaction time and reaction temperature. Ultrasonic energy also neglects the limitations in the use certain feed stocks. Fundamental aspects of the ultrasonic-assisted process using homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts are reviewed. Recent achievement and future development in this technology in a batch and continuous process are also highlighted.