Chapter 11: Non-catalytic Processes for Biodiesel Production

Biodiesel, a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fossil fuels, has attracted significant attention as a potential solution to the world’s increasing energy and environmental challenges. Although catalytic processes have traditionally dominated biodiesel production, non-catalytic methods have emerged as promising alternatives, offering advantages such as reduced production costs, milder operating conditions, and simpler purification steps. This chapter provides an in-depth exploration of non-catalytic processes for biodiesel production, shedding light on their mechanisms, advantages, and challenges. It elucidates the fundamental principles of non-catalytic transesterification, including its role in breaking down triglycerides into biodiesel and glycerol. Various non-catalytic techniques, such as supercritical fluid technology, ultrasound-assisted processes, and microwave irradiation, are discussed, highlighting their unique features and efficiency in biodiesel production. Based on these developments, the potential of adopting this technology for large-scale biodiesel production is also discussed.