چكيده لاتين :
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable, environmentally benign, energy efficient, substitution fuel
which can fulfill energy security needs without sacrificing engine’s operational performance. Thus it provides a feasible
solution to the twin crises of fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation. The properties of the various
individual fatty esters that comprise biodiesel determine the overall properties of the biodiesel fuel. In turn, the
properties of the various fatty esters are determined by the structural features of the fatty acid and the alcohol moieties
that comprise a fatty ester. Better understanding of the structure-physical property relationships in fatty acid esters is
of particular importance when choosing vegetable oils that will give the desired biodiesel quality. By having accurate
knowledge of the influence of the molecular structure on the properties determined, the composition of the oils and the
alcohol used can both be selected to give the optimal performance. In this paper the relationship between the chemical
structure and physical properties of vegetable oil esters is reviewed and engineering fatty acid profiles to optimize
biodiesel fuel characteristics is highlighted.
