A comprehensive study on prospects of economy, environment, and efficiency of palm oil biodiesel as a renewable fuel

The growing concern over the dependency on fossil fuel has prompted the cost of energy supply to the high extent. Widespread application of fossil fuel in transportation and electricity generation has steadily declined the fossil fuel supply along with the provoked environmental pollution. Strict environmental concern, depletion and price hike of fossil fuel has driven scientific study for the search of alternative fuels. To address the difficulties of fossil fuel, alternative fuels could be a fruitful substitute for global emission reduction. Where biodiesel makes itself as one of the best available resources due to its vast applicability in diesel engine. Among other biodiesels, palm biodiesel has proved itself as a most dominating biofuel due to its highest contribution worldwide (35%), minimum price (660 USD/ton), maximum oil content (5000 kg oil/ha), and production yield (4.2 MT/ha). The worldwide palm oil market progressively growing and it is expected to reach a market value of US$92.84 billion in 2021. The aim of this paper is to address different aspects of palm biodiesel for the potential solution of future renewable fuel. This paper describes a detailed review on palm biodiesel as a notable alternative in respect to the economy, environment, and efficiency. A thorough production process, properties, advantages, disadvantages, and the global economy of palm biodiesel are discussed. This article also deals with the sustainability, social, and environmental impact of leading palm oil producers like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. In this article, diesel engine combustion using palm biodiesel and its effect on engine efficiency and environmental pollution (due to engine emissions) are also reviewed. The scope of the present study relies on the brief description of the development and challenges of palm biodiesel feedstock for the continuation in the coming future.