Review of process parameters for biodiesel production from different feedstocks

Biodiesel is one of the prospective alternatives to petroleum fuel resources because of its renewable and environment friendly nature. Transesterficiation process is used for biodiesel production. The biodiesel production process mainly depends on five parameters which includes free fatty acid (FFA) content, type of alcohol used and molar ratio (alcohol:oil), catalyst type and its concentration, reaction temperature and time. Methanol and ethanol are commonly used for biodiesel production in presence of different alkaline catalysts like sodium and potassium hydroxides. The production methodology of biodiesel is an important aspect for efficient and cost-effective production of biodiesel. The present study focuses on the various technical aspects of biodiesel production methodology. The study reveals that for optimum biodiesel production reaction temperature should be in range of 50-60 °C, molar ratio of alcohol to oil should be in range of 6-12:1 with the use of an alkali catalyst having optimum concentration 1% by weight. The optimal reaction time for transesterification process is 120 min.