Microwave-Enhanced Methods for Biodiesel Production and Other Environmental Applications

Microwave-enhanced organic/inorganic synthesis is considered as green chemistry and a preferred method due to several advantages such as lower energy consumption, substantial reduction in reaction times and solvent requirements, enhanced selectivity, and improved conversions with less by-product formation. In this book chapter, an emphasis on microwaveenhanced methods for biodiesel production is presented. A preliminary understanding of the microwave heating mechanism in achieving fast and easy synthesis of biodiesel is discussed. Biodiesel production using different feedstock (vegetable oils to algae), catalysts applied, and energy requirements of the processes are presented. Advantages of microwaveenhanced biodiesel synthesis such as non-catalytic, solvent-free transesterifications, higher fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yields, lower energy requirements, and product separation times are discussed. Analyses of algal feedstock and algal biodiesel properties are also presented. In addition, microwave applications in other important organic/inorganic chemical reactions and environmental remediation are presented.