Challenges and Opportunities for Bio-Diesel Production in Turkey

Abstract

This paper will discuss the main challenges and opportunities for sustainable production of bio-diesel fuel in Turkey. Turkey's energy demand has risen rapidly as a result of economic and social development over the past two decades. As in many other countries, Turkey is heavily dependent on fossil fuels to meet its energy requirements. Fossil fuels account for approximately 88% of the country's total primary energy consumption. Turkey imports three major sources of energy, and its dependence on imported fossil fuels is expected to increase even further. At present, Turkey's oil production met only 7% of demand, the rest was imported. In spite of Turkey's heavy dependence on fossil fuels for energy demand, the country has a large potential for development of renewable resources of every type. Bio-fuels can provide an opportunity for Turkey to decrease its dependence on foreign oil, eliminate irregularities in agriculture, create new employment opportunities, decrease rural depopulation, and sustainable energy development. Turkey has a large area of suitable agricultural land for the production of bio-fuel crops. Unfortunately, only about 4-5% of total cultivable area is used for cultivating bio-fuel crops. The vegetable oil sector, which is considered to be one of the strengths of the Turkish agriculture and process industry, could be reformed to meet bio-diesel production demands.

Production and Analysis of Biodiesel from Non-Edible Seed Oil of Pistacia Chinensis

“…Biodiesel is a renewable, green alternative fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled greases. With the increase of petroleum price and the environmental concerns about pollution, it has become the most potential biofuel because of many advantages such as its environmental friendliness and its better efficiency than fossil fuel (Demirbas, 2007;Balat and Oz, 2008). Many countries throughout the world are trying hard to expand the utilization field of biodiesel in their industrial development.…”

Microwave Assisted Transesterification of Maize (Zea Mays L.) Oil as a Biodiesel Fuel

“…Global environmental concerns and decreasing resources of crude oil have prompted demand for alternative fuels. It is urgent to find an alternative fuel, especially the fuel for diesel engines, in order to prolong the petroleum reserve (Sun et al, 2006;Azcan and Danisman, 2008;Balat, 2008;Balat and Oz, 2008;Lertsathapornsuk et al, 2008;Qin et al, 2008). Biodiesel is a non-toxic and biodegradable substitute for petroleum-based diesel.…”

Comparison of the Biodiesel Quality Produced from Refined Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus L) Oil and Waste Cooking Oil

“…A variety of biolipids can be used to produce biodiesel. These are (a) refined vegetable oil feedstock; rapeseed and soybean oils are most commonly used, though other crops such as mustard, palm oil, sunflower, hemp, and even algae show promise; (b) waste vegetable oil; (c) animal fats including tallow, lard, and yellow grease; and (d) non-edible oils such as jatropha, neem oil, castor oil, and tall oil (Balat and Oz, 2008;Demirbas, 2009;Giwa et al, 2010;Qin et al, 2010). The oil percentage and the yield per hectare are important parameters to consider as biodiesel source (Singh and Singh, 2010).…”