Four plant scientists from Quaid-i-Azam University in Pakistan assemble and analyze practical research information about making biodiesel fuel from oil seed plants. They consider the history of biodiesel and its market, advantages, and impacts. Then they look at sources, the chemistry, extracting oil at laboratory and commercial scales, biodiesel synthesis, factors affecting the transesterification reaction, fuel properties, and technical aspects. A final section surveys 18 plants that yield biodiesel and properties of that oil as fuel. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Biodiesel—a fuel substitute produced from vegetable oils, animal fats, or algae—is one of the most important renewable natural resources for agrarian countries. The justification for developing biodiesel as an alternate fuel is manifold, and rising crude oil prices and the vulnerability of energy security have made biodiesel necessary and inevitable.
The Practical Handbook on Biodiesel Production and Properties has assembled and analyzed the recent trends of biodiesel research, production, and implementation. It includes practical guidance on the identification of plant resources and their distribution, botanical description, palynology, oil extraction, production process, and biodiesel yield.
The production and usage of biodiesel will strengthen the agricultural sector, provide energy to remote areas without access to conventional energy, contribute towards economic development, and increase industrial activity. Drawing on both scientific and participatory processes, this book enables the successful utilization and commercialization of biofuel technology.
