Biodiesel production from Calophyllum inophyllum oil a potential non-edible feedstock: An overview

Utilizing renewable feedstock for the production of alternate fuels is a challenging task. The need for finding a new fuel is gaining importance owing to rapid depletion of fossil-fuel resources and fluctuating crude oil price. Alternate fuel must also be environmental friendly, cheap, technically acceptable and abundant. Biodiesel, eco-friendly alternative liquid fuel, are fatty acid alkyl esters produced by chemical or lipase-catalyzed transesterification of fats or oils. It has both economic and environmental benefits in addition to its renewable origin. Feedstocks such as animal fats and vegetable oils play a vital role in biodiesel production. The demand for biodiesel production from non-comestible oil is growing steadily as there are restrictions on the conversion of edible oils into fuels. Hence, researchers are looking for promising newer sources of non-comestible oil which can sustain biodiesel production and use. These attributes have contributed to growing interest on biodiesel production from Calophyllum inophyllum oil. This study focuses on a promising newer source of non-comestible oil which can sustain biodiesel growth. Various technological options available for the conversion of C. inophyllum oil into biodiesel, their strengths and weaknesses are highlighted. Also, engine performance of the C. inophyllym biodiesel blends is also reviewed. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.