Second generation biodiesel : potential alternative to-edible oil-derived biodiesel

The extensive use of fossil fuels is depleting its reserve and produces harmful emission causing environmental issues. Hence, considerable attention has been given to alternative sources such as biodiesel. Currently, biodiesel is mainly produced from conventionally grown edible oil plants thus leading to a competition of usage of food versus fuel. The increasing criticism of the sustainability of first generation biodiesels (those derived from edible oils) has raised attention to the use of so-called second and third generation biodiesels. The second generation biodiesel includes non-edible vegetable oils, waste cooking oils as well as animal fats. These are considered as promising substitute for traditional edible food crops as they neither compete with food crops nor lead to land-clearing. This study introduces second generation biodiesel to be used as biodiesel feedstocks. Several aspects of these feedstocks are reviewed and discussed in this paper. These aspects include different sources of biodiesel feedstocks, biodiesel conversion technology and performance and emission characteristics of second generation biodiesel.