Improved conversion of plant oils and animal fats into biodiesel and co-product

Increased environmental awareness and depletion of resources are driving industly to develop alternative ,fuels from renewable resources that are environmentally more acceptable. Esters of fatty acids (biodiesel), derived from the transestetification of vegetable oils, have properties similar to components of petroleumbased diesel fuel. Cost has been a major factor slowing the commercialization of biodiesel, Glycerol is the coproduct of the esterification process. In this work the feasibility of the glyceroly.sis of vegetable oils with crude glycerol derived from the transesterificution of vegetable oils and animal fats was studied. Utilization of the crude co-product of the biodiesel process wets investigated for improving the overall economy. The trcLnse,stetificution of soybean oil for fuel putposes was optimized. Optimization results are presented. Trunsesterification of beef tallow produces a mn-e of esters which is more concentruted in the suturated fatty acids. Physical properties of these esters are similar to esters of soybean oil. Reuction results and properties for esters of beef tallow are presented.