ABSTRACT
Biodiesel Using Commercially Available Antioxidants.... 272 10.4 Conclusion ................................................................................. 274
Keywords .............................................................................................. 275 References ............................................................................................. 275
ABSTRACT
There is increasing interest in developing alternative energy resources. An immediately applicable option is replacement of diesel fuel by biodiesel, which consists of the simple alkyl esters of fatty acids. With little modification, diesel engine vehicles can use biodiesel fuels. Biodiesel has been defined as the fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) or FA ethyl esters derived from vegetable oils or animal fats (Triglycerides, TG) by transesterification with methanol or ethanol. Its main advantages over fossil fuel are that it is renewable, biodegradable, and nontoxic. Its contribution to greenhouse gases is minimal, since the emitted CO2 is equal to the CO2 absorbed by the plants to create the TG. They can also be used as heating oil. Conversely, they do present other technical challenges, such as low cloud points and elevated NOX emissions. The use of biodiesel is encouraged by governments across the world to improve energy supply security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and boost rural incomes and employments. One of the major drawbacks for the quality of biodiesel and its widespread commercialization is its oxidation stability. Unlike petroleum diesel fuel, the nature of biodiesel makes it more susceptible to oxidation or autoxidation during long-term storage. Storage conditions, exposure to water, and exposure to oxygen, which is naturally present in the ambient air, influence the rate of oxidation.
