Green Diesel Production via Deoxygenation Process: A Review

The environmental impact of traditional fuels and related greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) has promoted policies driven towards renewable fuels. This review deals with green diesel, a biofuel obtained by catalytic deoxygenation of edible and non-edible biomasses. Green diesel, biodiesel, and petrodiesel are compared, with green diesel being the best option in terms of physical-chemical properties and reduction in GHGE. The deoxygenation process and the related types of catalysts, feedstocks, and operating conditions are presented. Reactor configurations are also discussed, summarizing the experimental studies. Several process simulations and environmental economic analyses-up to larger scales-are gathered from the literature that analyze the potential of green diesel as a substitute for petrodiesel. In addition, current industrial processes for green diesel production are introduced. Future research and development efforts should concern catalysts and the use of waste biomasses as feedstock, as well as the arrangement of national and international policies.

Automated summary

This review focuses on green diesel, a biofuel obtained by catalytic deoxygenation of edible and non-edible biomasses, and compares it with biodiesel and petrodiesel. Green diesel is found to be the best option in terms of physical-chemical properties and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The article discusses the deoxygenation process, types of catalysts, feedstocks, operating conditions, reactor configurations, and current industrial processes for green diesel production. It also presents process simulations and environmental economic analyses that suggest the potential of green diesel as a substitute for petrodiesel. Future research should concentrate on catalysts, the use of waste biomasses as feedstock, and the arrangement of national and international policies.