Challenges and opportunities in biofuels production

Hydrotreatment, Vegetable oils/fats Presently, most of our energy needs are being met from fossil fuels. These sources of energy are non-renewable and are getting exhausted at an unprecedented rate. Moreover, the demand for energy is also increasing at a rate higher than ever. In view of this widening gap between demand and supply of energy and the increasing awareness of the pollution problems caused by the fossil fuels, it has become necessary to develop alternative/renewable fuels 1 . The alternate fuel should be technically feasible, environmentally acceptable, readily available and economically viable to be of any practical application 2 . Based on these criteria, vegetable oil-based biomass (triglycerides) proves to be a good source of renewable, alternative fuel. While this source alone cannot meet the entire global fuel requirement, it can, to some extent, supplement the demands. This report is not an exhaustive review but provides a brief update on various catalysts and available technologies for production of fatty acid ester-based (biodiesel) and hydrocarbon-based (biofuel) fuels from vegetable oils and fats. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities in these catalytic transformations.