Prospects of factor affecting biodiesel selection strategies based on various aspects: An Indian perspective

Abstract

The need for alternative and viable energy sources for the automotive industry is increasing due to the fast depletion of fossil fuel reserves. In the present scenario fluctuating petroleum prices. Inconsistent supply, global politics, conflicts of oil-producing countries sky-rocketing energy demands, lacking oil reserves make an energy-intensive country like India, vulnerable to energy security. For a few years, researchers across the world found Biodiesel as a favourable potential energy source to fulfil its energy needs due to its availability, renewable nature, low toxicity and lesser polluting nature. There are various sources of biofuel identified by the scientists and researchers so far, which include edible oil, non-edible oil, animal fats, microbial feedstocks, waste cooking oil, etc. making biodiesel viable for use and economical for production is the very next challenge for researchers. The present work, emphasises on various selection criteria e.g. physicochemical properties, structural composition, environmental aspects, economic aspects etc. to choose better alternative out of the available biofuel resources. This paper will extensively contribute to identifying the most appropriate and cost-effective feedstocks for biodiesel selection for greater use.