Environmental pollution leading to disastrous `Global Warming' is a worldwide concern of the hour. The major contribution to pollution, especially air pollution, comes from the petrochemicals used by vehicles. The emitting `Greenhouse Gases' like CO2, CH4, etc., are responsible for the threatening global issue of global warming. Today, with people getting so used to the convenience and luxury of the automobiles, their increasing usage is leading to environmental pollution and depletion of fuel reserves. Conservation of fuel and use of renewable energy for a sustainable development should be the focus everywhere. Keeping this in view, the search for an alternative fuel is in the process over the past decade. The role of professionals in managing biodiesel production and usage to reduce global warming is critical. The management of global warming through production and utilization of biodiesel will be a help to save the planet. Thus, it is appropriate to know more about biodiesel and its role in combating global warming.
Scientifically, biodiesel is made up of fatty acid alkyl esters. It is a domestically produced renewable fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. It contains no petroleum and can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel and also, it is free of sulphur and aromatics. Biodiesel can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. It is manufactured through a chemical process called Transesterification. |
