Open AccessEconomic Impact and Obstacles to Mainstream Biodiesel Integration
Author(s) -
Dustin Hogan,
Anoop Desai,
Valentin Soloiu
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
industrial and systems engineering review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2329-0188
DOI - 10.37266/iser.2017v5i1.pp1-11
Subject(s) - biodiesel , mainstream , process (computing) , alternative energy , energy source , process integration , renewable energy , risk analysis (engineering) , computer science , engineering , environmental economics , fossil fuel , process engineering , business , waste management , economics , philosophy , biochemistry , chemistry , theology , electrical engineering , operating system , catalysis
Active research is being conducted to enable the integration of an alternate energy sources so as to replace petroleum based fuels. However, this research has been confined primarily within the auspices of a research laboratory. Of the various alternate energy source available today, biodiesel constitutes perhaps the most dominant and promising alternate energy source. A comprehensive analysis of the processes and effects involved with its integration would need to be conducted before said transition could occur as efficiently and as seamlessly as possible. These processes can recognize the mass appeal of biodiesel and its viability as a dominant energy source. This information can be used to develop a comprehensive methodology to achieve large-scale transfer of technology from the laboratory to the marketplace. Such a methodology needs to take into account the technological characteristics of the fuel production process, environmental effects of biodiesel emissions, and economic factors integral to the biodiesel supply chain. It is essential to analyze the characteristics and effects of this integration in order to successfully achieve the cost effective integration of this alternate fuel source into the marketplace. The aforementioned analysis would serve as a stepping stone or a foundation block to enable future research. This paper presents an overview of current practices and state of the art research focusing on integration of biodiesel into a mainstream marketplace.