A review on influencing parameters of biodiesel production and purification processes

Biodiesel is an alternate renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic fuel similar to conventional fossil fuel. It is usually produced from vegetable oil, animal fat, tallow, non-edible plant oil and waste cooking oil. Biodiesel emits fewer air pollutants, greenhouse gases other than oxides of nitrogen and easier to treat when compared with fossil fuels. However, with all these environmental benefits, biodiesel could not be extensively used as a complete alternative fuel to conventional diesel. Accordingly in this study apart from the scope and need of biodiesel, an attempt has been made to address the number of parameters that influence the production process of biodiesel. Lipid/fat content, type and catalyst concentration, oil to alcohol ratio and other purification process has been discussed to reduce the unit operation involved in biodiesel production.