Skip to main content
Log in

Techniques to improve the stability of biodiesel: a review

  • Review
  • Published:
Environmental Chemistry Letters Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Biodiesel is an alternative to fossil fuels for diesel engines, yet actual biofuel properties need to be tuned to comply with fuel standards. In particular, fuel stability is required for efficiency and commercial use. Fuel stability varies with the nature and proportion of chemical functional groups of biodiesel. Optimum oxidation stability is required because degradation by oxidation gives products that compromise fuel properties and impair fuel quality and engine performance. For instance, oxidation induces the formation of short-chain corrosive acids and deposits. Here, we review techniques to improve the oxidation stability of biodiesel. For instance, stability is improved by additives such as antioxidants. Factors influencing oxidation stability include composition of fatty acids, acid content, peroxide content, iodine content, viscosity, insoluble impurities, external conditions, and storage material. Antioxidants reduce lipid peroxidation at the beginning of the chain reaction and increase the onset temperatures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Copyright© 2020 from Mofijur et al. (2020)

Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Copyright© 2020 from Neumann et al. (2008)

Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Copyright© 2020 from Wadumesthrige et al. (2009)

Fig. 6

Copyright© 2020 from Chen and Luo (2011)

Fig. 7

Copyright© 2020 from Marinova et al. (2008)

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ASTM:

American Society for Testing and Materials

BHA:

Butylated hydroxyanisole

BHT:

Butylated hydroxytoluene

CFPP:

Cold filter plugging point

DTBHQ:

Di-tert-butylhydroquinone

DTBMP:

Di-tert-butyl methoxyphenol

EGCG:

Epigallocatechin gallate

EGCGO:

Epigallocatechin gallate oleate

EGCO:

Epigallocatechin oleate

FAME:

Fatty acid methyl ester

LTP:

Lipid-soluble tea polyphenol

NDGA:

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid

OBPA:

Octylated butylated diphenylamine

PAME:

Palmitic acid methyl ester

PDSC:

Pressurized differential scanning calorimetry

TBHQ:

Tert-butylhydroquinone

TBP:

Tert-butylated phenol derivative

WTP:

Water-soluble tea polyphenol

α-T-α:

Tocopherol

References

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pau Loke Show.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hazrat, M.A., Rasul, M.G., Khan, M.M.K. et al. Techniques to improve the stability of biodiesel: a review. Environ Chem Lett 19, 2209–2236 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-01166-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-01166-8

Keywords

Navigation