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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #313872
Title: Three approaches to fuels from fatty compounds

Author
item Knothe, Gerhard
item Doll, Kenneth - Ken
item Moser, Bryan
item Murray, Rex

Submitted to: Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/3/2015
Publication Date: 5/3/2015
Citation: Knothe, G.H., Doll, K.M., Moser, B.R., Murray, R.E. 2015. Three approaches to fuels from fatty compounds [abstract]. Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Oil Chemists' Society.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Biodiesel, the alkyl esters, usually methyl esters, of vegetable oils, animal fats, or other triacylglycerol-containing materials, are the most common approach to producing a fuel from the mentioned materials. This fuel is obtained by transesterifying the oil or fat with an alcohol, usually methanol, in the presence of a catalyst such as alkoxide or hydroxide. In more recent years, a fuel, probably best termed renewable diesel, has been developed which simulates the composition of conventional diesel fuel. This fuel is obtained by hydrotreatment of the triacylglycerol-containing materials. Even more recently, a decarboxylation process of fatty acids was reported which provides a mixture of long-chain alkene isomers and other products with potential fuel properties. The three materials are compared regarding their production, composition, and properties.