How is biodiesel made

Catalytic synthesis method

Currently, most biodiesel is made by chemical method. Animal and vegetable oils have transesterification reaction with low carbon alcohol such as methanol or ethanol under high temperature and acid and alkaline catalysts. It is produced by common oil production equipment, with 10% glycerin as by-products.

Biological enzyme method

Biological enzyme method is to use lipase to induce transesterification reaction between animal fats and low carbon alcohol, and produce fatty acid methyl ester and ethyl ester. The new technique can transform animal and vegetable oil into biodiesel at room temperature, and the productive rate can be more than 90%.

Engineered microalgae method

Engineered microalgae method is to transform the physiological structure with genetic engineering technology to increase their productivity and oil content. National renewable energy laboratory (NREI) can increase the lipid content by 60%. The lipid is extracted with normal hexane.