Page 224 - Refining Biomass Residues for Sustainable Energy and Bioproducts

Assessment of crude glycerol 9

utilization for sustainable
development of biorefineries

2
3
1
S. Chozhavendhan , G. Karthiga Devi , B. Bharathiraja ,
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R. Praveen Kumar and S. Elavazhagan 5
1
Vivekanandha College of Engineering for Women (Autonomous), Tiruchengode, India,
2 3
Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology, Chennai, India, Vel Tech High Tech Dr. RR Dr.
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SR Engineering College, Chennai, India, Department of Biotechnology, Arunai
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Engineering College, Tiruvannamalai, India, Glaxo Smith Kline, Bangalore, India

9.1 Introduction

At present, B90% of the world’s energy prerequisite is met through the use of non-
renewable fossil fuels, such as coal, oil shale petroleum, natural gas, and bitumens
(Rodrigues et al., 2017; Poschl et al., 2010; Srirangan et al., 2012). Among these
resources, particularly oil and natural gas are the most imperative feedstocks for the
production of fine and commodity chemicals (Liu et al., 2010). Nevertheless, the
unhampered use of fossil fuels is considered unsustainable due to the determinate
supply and an unequal distribution of natural reserves, coupled with climate change
resulting from increasing greenhouse gas emissions (Tan et al., 2013).
All the previously mentioned factors have provoked researchers to have a great
interest in finding the substitute biofuels. A substitute fuel should be produced in an
eco-friendly manner inadequate amount to solve the energy crisis and to replace the
existing resource economically (Owusu and Sarkodie, 2016; Indu et al., 2018).
Biodiesel was well received among other biofuels and utilized in almost everywhere
in the world for its eco-friendly nature, renewability and biodegradability, and non-
toxic characteristics when compared with conservative diesel (Shi et al., 2013).
Biodiesel has the characteristics of petroleum diesel and hence its blend can be
used in the transportation sector. Greater use of biodiesel can reduce greenhouse
gas emission and other pollutants (Tang et al., 2013; Nguyen et al., 2010).
Numerous procedures, such as pyrolysis, supercritical fluid, and transesterification
process, have been established for biodiesel production. Transesterification process
is carried out with different kinds of feedstocks (vegetable oil, animal fat, algae,
and waste cooking oil). When compared with other methods, transesterification pro-
cess is the most common method used for biodiesel production. Crude is generated
as a byproduct during the transesterification process of biodiesel production
(Chozhavendhan et al., 2018a; Bet-Moushoul et al., 2016).

Refining Biomass Residues for Sustainable Energy and Bioproducts. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818996-2.00009-0
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