Biodiesel — Definition
Definition
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable fuel manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease. It is a cleaner-burning alternative to petroleum diesel, primarily composed of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).
The production process, known as transesterification, involves reacting the oil or fat with an alcohol (typically methanol) in the presence of a catalyst, which converts the triglycerides into FAME and glycerol as a byproduct.
Unlike conventional diesel, biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended with petroleum diesel in various proportions. Common blends include B5 (5% biodiesel, 95% petroleum diesel) and B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel).
Its use helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particulate matter, and other pollutants, contributing to improved air quality and climate change mitigation efforts. From a UPSC perspective, understanding biodiesel involves grasping its chemical nature, production method, feedstock diversity, and its role in India's energy transition and environmental policy framework.