Triacetin additive in biodiesel to reduce air pollution: a review

Abstract

Stricter environmental norms and fossil fuel pollution call for cleaner fuels such as biodiesel. However, depending on the biomass source, biodiesel combustion may emit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx). This can be solved by adding a blender such as triacetin, a common food additive. Here we review triacetin as a fuel additive with focus on improving fuel properties and engine performances, and combustion. We present triacetin production by acetic acid–glycerol esterification and acetic anhydride–glycerol acetylation reactions in batch and continuous reactors. We discuss reaction kinetic models. We found that the use of triacetin induces environmental and economic benefits.