Harnessing Agricultural Waste for Sustainable Biodiesel Production: A Comprehensive Review
Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
Agricultural waste has garnered increasing attention as a promising and sustainable feedstock for biodiesel production, offering a pathway to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and address environmental challenges. This comprehensive review delves into the potential of utilizing agricultural residues such as crop husks, fruit peels, and other organic by-products for biodiesel synthesis, emphasizing the transformative role of biochar in this process. The review explores advancements in conversion technologies, including pyrolysis and transesterification, which enable the effective transformation of agricultural wastes into biodiesel. Biochar's application as a heterogeneous catalyst significantly enhances the efficiency and sustainability of these processes, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional catalysts. The study also examines various modifications of biochar, such as chemical and physical treatments, which further optimize its catalytic properties and expand its applications in biodiesel synthesis. In addition to technological advancements, this review highlights the socio-economic benefits of leveraging agricultural waste and biochar, such as waste valorization, rural economic development, and contributions to the circular economy. It also addresses challenges like feedstock variability, collection logistics, and the need for robust policy frameworks to support agricultural waste-based biodiesel production. By integrating biochar into biodiesel production systems, this review provides a comprehensive roadmap for harnessing agricultural waste to achieve renewable energy goals.