Biodiesel Synthesis via Transesterification of Soybean Oil with Methanol

Abstract

Given the rapid rate of consumption of the world’s mineral oil resources, there is a great likelihood of an energy crisis in the future. Given the vital role that oil plays as energy source in industrialized socieities, an alternative energy source is necessary to ensure the continuation of civilization. Fuels derived from biological sources or biofuels are being explored for use as an alternative energy source. A wide variety of organic compounds are being explored for use as biofuels. Chief among these are ethanol and butanol. Ethanol can be produced by the ethanogenic fermentation of carbohydrates by yeasts (Saccharomyces) and the bacteria Zymomonas mobilis. Butanol is produced by the Weizman process wherein sugar substrates are fermented by anaerobic Clostridium acetobutylicum to produce butanol and acetone.