Sustainability and mitigation of greenhouse gases using ethyl beef tallow biodiesel in energy generation

This paper deals with the possibility of using beef tallow and beef tallow biodiesel in energy generation. The environmental, energetic and social-economic aspects are discussed. The steps for obtaining biodiesel from beef tallow are presented as well as the characterization of beef tallow and beef tallow biodiesel. Results for performance and emissions of using beef tallow and beef tallow biodiesel in a stationary engine are also shown. Beef tallow can be successfully applied in compression ignition engine blending with diesel up to 15% of beef tallow. Beef tallow can also be converted in biodiesel and applied in compression ignition engines neat or blended with diesel in any proportion. In the case of neat beef tallow biodiesel, it is not recommended to be used in cold weather conditions, due to its relatively low pour point. The possibility of using beef tallow in power generation, leads to the concepts of sustainability and cleaner production, by the use of a material usually discarded in butcheries. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.