Chapter 2: Overview of Feedstocks for Biodiesel Production

The steady increase in crude oil prices over the past several years, together with the feedstock availability crisis and the food-versus-fuel debate, have prompted studies of the utilization of industrial wastes for biodiesel production. Consequently, biodiesel or fatty acid methyl ester production has been extensively researched and demonstrated using a wide range of wastes as feedstock materials. In this chapter, the availability, properties, and potential use in biodiesel production of different non-edible feedstocks and waste feedstocks are discussed in detail. It is concluded that non-edible oils, dairy waste scum, and waste cooking oil are potential sources for biodiesel production. With proper supply chain management, dairy waste scum and waste cooking oil could be economical feedstocks for the biodiesel industry since they are continuously available in large quantities. This also contributes to the effective management of the dairy industry.