Abstract:
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines that is produced by chemically combining vegetable oils and animal fats with an alcohol to form alkyl esters. Extensive research and demonstration projects have shown that it can be used pure or in blends with conventional diesel fuel in unmodified diesel engines. Interest in biodiesel has been expanding recently due to government incentives and high petroleum prices. While the current availability of vegetable oil limits the extent to which biodiesel can replace petroleum to a few percent, new oil crops could allow biodiesel to make a major contribution in the future
