Abstract
Biodiesel is an alkyl ester of long chain fatty acids and is considered to leave smaller footprint on the environment. It is produced by transesterification of a fat/oil with a short chain primary alcohol like methanol or ethanol. The three routes to its preparation are: alkali catalyzed, acid catalyzed and lipase-catalyzed transesterification. This review summarizes the key patents filed over the last few decades. The chemistry used in these patents is one of the three routes mentioned above. In few patents, heterogeneous catalysts have been used for catalyzing the transesterification process. The innovations mostly concern fine-tuning of the reaction conditions, plant design to improve logistics and use of glycerol produced as a by-product during biodiesel production. There is a concern that biofuels like biodiesel cut into resources like land meant for food crop production. Life cycle studies also create doubt about there being energy efficient fuels. Judicious choices that would differ with different regions are recommended. For the next few decades till better alternatives like hydrogen become viable, biodiesel would continue to be an important “alternative fuel”.
Keywords: Biodiesel, biofuels, biorefinery, enzymes in low water media, enzymes in organic solvents, esterification, fatty acid esters, fatty acid ethyl esters, fatty acid methyl esters, lipases
Recent Patents on Biotechnology
Title: Process Optimization for Biodiesel Production
Volume: 2 Issue: 2
Author(s): Veena Singh, Kusum Solanki and Munishwar N. Gupta
Affiliation:
Keywords: Biodiesel, biofuels, biorefinery, enzymes in low water media, enzymes in organic solvents, esterification, fatty acid esters, fatty acid ethyl esters, fatty acid methyl esters, lipases
Abstract: Biodiesel is an alkyl ester of long chain fatty acids and is considered to leave smaller footprint on the environment. It is produced by transesterification of a fat/oil with a short chain primary alcohol like methanol or ethanol. The three routes to its preparation are: alkali catalyzed, acid catalyzed and lipase-catalyzed transesterification. This review summarizes the key patents filed over the last few decades. The chemistry used in these patents is one of the three routes mentioned above. In few patents, heterogeneous catalysts have been used for catalyzing the transesterification process. The innovations mostly concern fine-tuning of the reaction conditions, plant design to improve logistics and use of glycerol produced as a by-product during biodiesel production. There is a concern that biofuels like biodiesel cut into resources like land meant for food crop production. Life cycle studies also create doubt about there being energy efficient fuels. Judicious choices that would differ with different regions are recommended. For the next few decades till better alternatives like hydrogen become viable, biodiesel would continue to be an important “alternative fuel”.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Singh Veena, Solanki Kusum and Gupta N. Munishwar, Process Optimization for Biodiesel Production, Recent Patents on Biotechnology 2008; 2 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187220808784619748
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187220808784619748 |
Print ISSN 1872-2083 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-4012 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advancements in Plant Genetics and Genomics
This thematic issue will highlight cutting-edge innovations and recent patents across the breadth of plant genetics and genomics. Key topics will include advanced breeding techniques, omics-based approaches, gene editing, trait discovery, and translational applications for crop improvement. Renowned researchers from leading institutions worldwide will provide state-of-the-art insights and future perspectives ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
The Role of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in Bipolar Disorder: Effectiveness in 522 Patients with Bipolar Depression, Mixed-state, Mania and Catatonic Features
Current Neuropharmacology Advancement of Technology for Drug Discovery and Development – Part I
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders: What Do We Know And Where Do We Go?
Current Psychiatry Reviews The Pathogenic Subpopulation of Th17 Cells in Obesity
Current Pharmaceutical Design A Survey on the Usage of Supplements in Canadian Patients Living with HIV
Current HIV Research Implications of Epigenetic Mechanisms and their Targets in Cerebral Ischemia Models
Current Neuropharmacology Editorial [Hot Topic: Targeting Cell Migration - The Next Generation Blockbusters (Guest Editors: Amanda E.I. Proudfoot, Marie Kosco-Vilbois and Zoe Johnson)]
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Therapeutic Potential for Thyroid Hormone Receptor-β Selective Agonists for Treating Obesity, Hyperlipidemia and Diabetes
Current Vascular Pharmacology Amyloid β Accumulation Assessed with <sup>11</sup>C-Pittsburgh Compound B PET and Postmortem Neuropathology
Current Alzheimer Research A Role for Leptin in the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) and in Immune Response, an Update
Current Medicinal Chemistry Is There A Pulse Wave Encephalopathy Component To Multiple Sclerosis?
Current Neurovascular Research Non-Analgesic Effects of Opioids: Neuroprotection in the Retina
Current Pharmaceutical Design B-Cell Based Gene Therapy for Inducing Tolerance
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Oxidative Stress: The Old Enemy in Alzheimers Disease Pathophysiology
Current Alzheimer Research Preclinical Studies and Clinical Trials with Mesenchymal Stem Cell for Demyelinating Diseases: A Systematic Review
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Voltammetric Method for Simultaneous Determination of L-Dopa and Benserazide
Current Analytical Chemistry A Variant in the Endoglin Gene is Associated with the Development of Sporadic Intracranial Aneurysms
Current Neurovascular Research MIIP, a Cytoskeleton Regulator that Blocks Cell Migration and Invasion, Delays Mitosis, and Suppresses Tumorogenesis
Current Protein & Peptide Science Quantum Dot-Based Nanoprobes for In Vivo Targeted Imaging
Current Molecular Medicine Tacrine Derivatives and Alzheimers Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry