Promising Innovations in Biodiesel Technology

Switching from petroleum to biodiesel can cut carbon emissions, and most engines can run on these fuels without any modifications.

FREMONT, CA: Green mobility is one of the essential concerns in the ongoing fight against climate change—more than any other category, transportation accounts for most of all greenhouse gas emissions. Thankfully, there are numerous solutions to this problem, and biodiesel is one of them. Instead of petroleum, biodiesel is a diesel fuel manufactured from plant and animal materials. Switching from petroleum to biodiesel can cut carbon emissions, and most engines can run on these fuels without any modifications. Biodiesel may be used in almost any diesel engine and still function well. Biodiesel technology has advanced recently, making it even more attractive.

Algae feedstocks

Soybean oil is now used to make the majority of biodiesel. The issue with this and other first-generation biofuels is that they rely on ingredients that would otherwise be used for food, potentially limiting global supplies. However, new technological advancements have discovered alternatives, with algae being one of the most promising. Because algae isn't a food source and can grow in places other crops can't, it doesn't compete with them. It also produces more fuel, which lowers the cost. The main issue is that getting the essential fatty acids previously required a lot of energy.

Yeast feedstocks

Yeast has also proven to be a promising feedstock. Previous attempts at yeast feedstocks were costly and yielded low results, but a genetically modified solution now offers a viable alternative. It allows it to grow and create biofuel on a much broader scale, resulting in significantly higher yields. It also produces a high-protein feed that biodiesel manufacturers may sell to farms as a byproduct. This yeast-based fuel is a second-generation biofuel that does not deplete the food supply. Farmers may utilize the high-protein residue to feed cattle and other animals, extending the benefit further.

Biodiesel production in two stages

Many individuals will not transition to sustainable fuel if it is not as inexpensive as or less expensive than fossil fuels. That's a dilemma, given the high expense of many green modes of transportation, such as electric automobiles. Biodiesel must remain economical, and two-stage processing can help reap these benefits. Higher yields mean that producers can make more biodiesel with the same amount of feedstock.

Processing of plasma

Plasma is another new advancement in biodiesel manufacturing. The system converts the liquid feedstock combination to plasma for a brief moment. Because the phase change occurs in milliseconds, it has little effect on the process's flow. Changing the mixture into plasma for a short period causes the molecules to become more excited, enhancing their conductivity. Biodiesel production might be significantly cheaper if more facilities adopt this method.