Expansion of First Generation Biodiesel Fuel to Next Generation Biofuel

Abstract

As a result of heightened environmental awareness about issues such as global warming and solid waste treatment, many countries are looking to manufacture biodiesel fuel from biomass materials as a developing technology that recycles resources. In Japan, a biodiesel fuel conversion project comprised of research on production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from waste cooking oil is being promoted as an example of domestic biomass utilization. This article describes recent trends in the development of biodiesel fuel both domestically and internationally. It includes a history of the application of FAME as a first generation biodiesel fuel in Kyoto City and the development of a second generation biodiesel fuel with properties equivalent to hydrocarbon fuel.