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Comparison of Fatty Acid Methyl and Ethyl Esters as Biodiesel Base Stock: a Review on Processing and Production Requirements

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Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society

Abstract

Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were the first fatty acid esters to be introduced for use as biodiesel. However, there is a growing interest in the use of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) in biodiesel. Both FAME and FAEE have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. These differences are ultimately attributable to the structural differences imparted by the alcohols used in their production. Sources of reactants as well as their safety issues, are a focus of this review. Also reviewed are the comparative characteristics and properties of both biodiesel types in terms of physicochemical features and performance. Processing requirements, reaction times and molar ratios of alcohol to oil, together with problems and drawbacks, are discussed. Recent developments on improving the yield of biodiesel, include mixing methanol and ethanol in the same reaction with ethanol acting as a co-solvent, and enzymatic methanolysis and ethanolysis are also highlighted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Mohamad Firdaus Mohamad Yusoff, Xuebing Xu & Zheng Guo

  2. School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Malaysia

    Mohamad Firdaus Mohamad Yusoff

Authors
  1. Mohamad Firdaus Mohamad Yusoff
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  2. Xuebing Xu
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  3. Zheng Guo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zheng Guo.

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Yusoff, M.F.M., Xu, X. & Guo, Z. Comparison of Fatty Acid Methyl and Ethyl Esters as Biodiesel Base Stock: a Review on Processing and Production Requirements. J Am Oil Chem Soc 91, 525–531 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-014-2443-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-014-2443-0

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