Project Introduction and Literature Review Project title :Prospect and challenges of Biodiesel production from first generation biodiesel feedstock...

Running Head: Project Introduction and Literature Review
Project Introduction and Literature Review 6
Project Introduction and Literature Review
Project title: Prospect and Challenges of Biodiesel production from first generation biodiesel feedstock
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Introduction
(a) Establish the Problem
Due to global economic development and rapid growth of population, the demand for renewable sources of energy is steadily increasing. Also, the reserves of fossil fuels are in limited numbers and their distribution is non uniform. The major idea behind replacing the fossil fuels with alternate biofuels, is to eradicate the emissions from combustion which are directly associated with global warming, climate change and multiple diseases. Regularly changing energy policies and technological up gradations have developed new demand for the renewable sources of energy like biodiesel, as a potential alternative to fossil fuels. Biodiesel is a biofuel derived from vegetable oils like palm, sesame, rapeseed, jatropha and neem (Mohr & Raman, 2013). The biofuels produced from vegetable oils are these days well accepted by several countries though they are blended up with 20% of petroleum fuels (Mohr & Raman, 2013). The biodiesel’s industrialisation has become a significant problem due to its oxidative stability and poor cold flow properties. The vegetable oils can also be blended in various ratios before transesterification to get required properties in the biodiesel oil. Biodiesel is the most appropriate alternate to fossil fuels due to its similarities and improved physicochemical properties like higher cetane, higher lubricity and low content of sulphur. It can be used as a fuel in transport sector, without any modifications in existing diesel engine. Biodiesel is non toxic, safe to use, biodegradable ,combustion efficient with high cetane number , greater lubricity and low sulphur content. Earlier several feedstocks (like rapeseed, palm and soybean) have been used to produce biodiesel oil in Europe, Asia and US, respectively (Aro, 2016). At present , the main problem with commercialization and industrialization of biodiesel oil is its poor cold flow characteristics and poor oxidation stability. Many researchers have used synthetic antioxidants to improve its oxidation stability and used several additives to improve its cold flow properties. The biodiesel obtained from different feedstock have also been blended to refine its properties as per the standards. For example, the palm oil mostly used in Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia has poor cold flow properties due to greater content of saturated fatty acids. It creates problems in engine operation during the climate of low temperature. The engine may face the problems in starting, fuel starvation, incomplete combustion and clogging of filters. High level of unsaturation in biodiesels causes good cold flow properties but poor oxidation stability. In contrast, a high level of saturated fatty acids leads to good oxidation stability but poor cold flow properties. Therefore, the selection of feedstock is very important for blending with the vegetable oils like palm oil to improve its cold flow properties. The vegetable oils with greater level of unsaturation may be used to blend with the palm oil. But, it will also reduce the oxidative stability of the resultant product. The biofuel oils like sesame oil are considered most appropriate for blending with the palm oil due to in comparison to other feedstock oils due to higher level of unsaturation (85%),high oxidative stability and better cold flow properties. Hence, the biodiesel oils like sesame seed oils may be used as potential green fuels as an alternate to petroleum oil.
(b) Overview of Existing Research
The first generation biodiesel feedstock refers to food sources like starch, vegetable oils, sugar beets, rapeseeds, peanuts, and animal fat etc. The oil is produced from these sources using conventional method of trans-esterification and is chemically known as fatty acid methyl. The biomass when mixed with methanol and sodium hydroxide, it gives rise to biodiesel. The biodiesel can be seen as an effective means to alleviate the concerns of global energy. However, very few countries are participating in their production due to few challenges. Cost of production of biodiesel is very high in comparison to fossil fuels due to which its extensive usage imposes huge economic costs.
With increasing global demand for biofuels, the liquid biofuel industry is rapidly increasing. Biodiesel and Bioethanol are most extensively produced for domestic market in European countries, US, Africa, and Brazil. International trade of biofuels is limited as of now. Biodiesel is a biofuel made from plant seeds.
The first generation biodiesel feedstock has attracted attention recently due to many reasons:
· Rising demand for alternatives of fossil fuels, to reduce air pollution,
· The need to find out indigenous alternatives to the imported oil,
· The problem of using excessive agricultural land.
The biodiesel is less polluting and renewable. Their production is more environments friendly. They can be used in both the blended and pure forms.
This research will explore extensive literature sources to assess prospects and challenges of biodiesel production from first generation biodiesel feedstock. The structure of the review will include six parts: 1. Introduction, 2. Overview of Biofuel Industry, 3. Australian Biofuel Industry, 4. Cost of Biodiesel, 5. Blending Challenges & the Opportunities in Biodiesel production, and 6. Recommendations.
(c) Research Gap
The research identified several articles presenting the global scenario of adoption of biodiesel fuel as an alternate to petroleum fuel. However, none of the studies could ascertain the complete resolution of challenges. It shows, though, the countries are trying to work towards redefining the process of biofuel production, still we need to go a long way in sorting out the challenges. This industry is still in its infancy and requires detailed research and practical implementation of the procedures to accept biodiesel as a potential alternate to the fossil fuels.
(d) Research Question
What are the prospect and challenges of biodiesel production from first generation biodiesel feedstock?
(e) Significance of Project to its stakeholders
The project would be helpful to the researchers and students in understanding the challenges and potential opportunities in identifying the biodiesel as a potential alternate of petroleum diesel. The identified factors would be helpful for the researchers and scholars to explore the topic in future to find out the answers to the listed challenges. The recommendations may reflect potential pathways to solutions.
Research Aim
The study aims to analyze the possibilities and challenges associated with production of biodiesel from first generation biodiesel feedstock at global level.
Objectives of Study
1. To investigate the effectiveness of feedstock like food and Non food crops in biodiesel production
2. To explore the effect of key parameters like moisture, viscosity and FFA and different processes followed in production
3. To assess the economic profitability of biodiesel.
Literature Review
Overview of Biofuel Industry
The production of biodiesel from edible and non edible oils is done through trans-esterification process based on ASTM D6751 (American standards of biodiesel) and EN 14214 standards (European Union).
The production of biofuel is not increasing at a faster rate to meet the demand of fuel consumption worldwide, for sustainable development scenario (SDS).
Graph showing biofuel production (shown in blue color bars) in 2019, as compared to expected consumption (purple color bars) in 2030 (International Energy Agency, 2020)
The feedstock production affects the environment in several ways like loss of biodiversity, use of high amount of water, social conflicts, food security, water pollution, green house gas emissions, rural development, in addition to air pollutant emissions and deforestation (Rulli, 2016). Hence biofuel sustainability has become an essential aspect of policies before wide adoption of any biofuel practices. For instance, the EU Renewable Energy Directive has ensured that certain sustainability criteria (like food security, loss of biodiversity and Green house Gas emissions) should be met prior to any commercialization of biofuel production (Food and Agricultural Organisation, 2019). However, such policies lack broad social and environmental provisions. According to sustainability Standards of Global Bioenergy Parteneship (GEP) and Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels (RSB), there are following principles associated with biofuel production and use.
1. Legality
2. Greenhouse Gas emissions
3. Planning,Monitoring and Continuous Improvements
4. Human and Labour Rights
5. Conservation of soil, water...