ABSTRACT
The combustion of fossil fuels is considered the major factor responsible for global warming due to large-scale carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, the recent steep rise in food-crop prices is caused mainly by the rising petroleum prices, threatening thousands of people with starvation. Oil prices have been climbing steadily since 2006 until May 2008, with a record high above of US$147 a barrel on July 11, 2008 due to the political instability in major oil-exporting regions, and due to the rapid demand growth in China,
CONTENTS
13.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 637 13.2 Biodiesel as an Alternative Fuel ....................................................................................638 13.3 Direct Use of Vegetable Oils ........................................................................................... 639 13.4 Vegetable Oil Blends ........................................................................................................640 13.5 Microemulsi‚cation .........................................................................................................640 13.6 Pyrolysis ............................................................................................................................ 641 13.7 Transesteri‚cation: Biodiesel ......................................................................................... 641
13.7.1 Alkali-Catalyzed Transesteri‚cation .................................................................642 13.7.2 Acid-Catalyzed Transesteri‚cation ...................................................................643
