Plant Oils As Fuels

Among renewable energy resources, Biodiesel fuel made from rapeseed is of special importance in Europe. Economical, technological, ecological and toxicological arguments have been advanced implying that, at present, Biodiesel is at best just a "niche" product that can only compete with traditional fossil diesel fuel because of significant tax incentives. Given the present state of knowledge in these very different areas, the decisive question to be asked is whether the competitiveness, and thus marketability, of Biodiesel can be enhanced by biotechnological manipulations of the rape plant.

Industrial Uses of Vegetable Oils offers new insights into these important (and growing) products of vegetable oils. The author focuses on recent research and development of new industrial products, including the use of vegetable oils in paint and coatings, printing inks, engine oils, and biodiesel for heating and engine applications. The book discusses whether or not vegetable-based engine oils and biodiesel are practical or not. Topics also include the genetic modification of seed oils, developments in biodegradable grease, vegetable oils-based polyols, the development of biodiesel and soy composites, and the synthesis of surfactants from vegetable oil feedstocks.

The second edition of this invaluable handbook covers converting vegetable oils, animal fats, and used oils into biodiesel fuel. The Biodiesel Handbook delivers solutions to issues associated with biodiesel feedstocks, production issues, quality control, viscosity, stability, applications, emissions, and other environmental impacts, as well as the status of the biodiesel industry worldwide. Incorporates the major research and other developments in the world of biodiesel in a comprehensive and practical format Includes reference materials and tables on biodiesel standards, unit conversions, and technical details in four appendices Presents details on other uses of biodiesel and other alternative diesel fuels from oils and fats

For anyone who is trying to keep up with the extremely rapid developments in the biodiesel industry, the second edition of Biodiesel: Growing a New Energy Economy is an invaluable aid. The breathtaking speed with which biodiesel has gained acceptance in the marketplace in the past few years has been exceeded only by the proliferation of biodiesel production facilities around the United States--and the world--only to confront new social and environmental challenges and criticisms. The international survey of the biodiesel industry has been expanded from 40 to more than 80 countries, reflecting the spectacular growth of the industry around the world. This section also tracks the dramatic shifts in the fortunes of the industry that have taken place in some of these nations. The detailed chapters that cover the industry in the United States have also been substantially rewritten to keep abreast of its many new developments and explosive domestic growth. An expanded section on small-scale, local biodiesel production has been added to better represent this small but growing part of the industry. Another new section has been added to more fully explore the increasingly controversial issues of deforestation and food versus fuel, as well as GMO crops. The second edition concludes with updated views on where the industry is headed in the years to come from some of its key players.

Discusses the American dependence on imported fossil fuel and proposes a solution in the form of biodiesel engines.

This book offers an exhaustive coverage of process modifications in biodiesel production from oil drawn from 84 oleaginous plant species occurring in all parts of the world, thereby enlisting the scope and potential of many new and non-conventionally obscure plant sources. Biodiesel, now prepared from major vegetable oils, has become a compulsion to offset the dwindling reserve of petro-diesel, which naturally intrudes into the cooking oil demand. This has necessitated search for new sources. The book consolidates the biodiesel production from oils being extracted from conventional plants and also from a plethora of new and non-conventional plants along with their habit and habitats, history of biodiesel’s invention, explanation on species-wise biodiesel process variables, catalytic inclusions, global standards, fuel properties varying with species, blending benefits, cost effectiveness, shelf life, ignition characteristics, fuel consumption and engine performances with eco-friendly exhaust. This book is of immense use to teachers, researchers, scientists of climatology and carbon footprint, energy consultants, fuel chemists, students of agriculture and forestry, automobile engineering, industrial chemistry, environmental sciences and policy makers or anyone who wishes to scale up the biodiesel industry.