Intensified technologies for the production of triglyceride-based biofuels: Current status and future trends

Process intensification is a valuable strategy to improve the performance of production processes. It may allow reductions on costs and environmental impact, and enhancements in terms of operability and safety. Such advantages can be of special importance on the production of liquid biofuels, where the costs associated with the processing of renewable raw materials still represent an opportunity area. The implementation of process intensification thus aims to increasing the economic competitiveness of biofuels. Moreover, process intensification may allow higher reaction yields in comparison to conventional technologies. In this work, the status of intensified technologies to produce liquid biofuels is presented. The review is focused on the conversion of triglyceride-based biomass into biofuels as biodiesel and biojet fuel. Intensified technologies reported for the conversion of such raw materials are discussed, presenting their advantages and disadvantages. In this context, this review is intended to highlight the current state as well as the opportunities on the production of liquid biofuels through the application of process intensification strategies. •The conventional routes to transform triglycerides into biofuels are described.•Intensification is presented as a strategy to enhance conventional processes.•The conversion of triglycerides by intensified technologies is analysed.•Challenges for the implementation of intensified technologies are described.