Prospecção tecnológica de biodiesel: uma análise de suas aplicações e potencialidades para a pesquisa científica

Abstract

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel originated from biomass, that is, all organic matter, of plant or animal origin, that is used for energy production, mainly as a replacement for biodiesel or in the form of blends (mixtures). The main raw materials of plant origin for the production of biodiesel are currently the oils from soybeans, palm oil, cotton, canola and sunflower. In this sense, the present study aimed to carry out a bibliographic review on the production of biodiesel, including raw materials and catalysts using the technological prospection method, which is a type of study that uses scientific articles, books, patents, periodicals, among others, allowing the researcher to identify the state of the innovation technique and map a future scenario of the use of his object of study, analyzing which area will be more invested in its use and applications. It is concluded that the applications of biodiesel and its benefits are supported by several scholars, from the social and economic aspects of its production in the field to the industrial chain. It is also argued that it is necessary to encourage the production of technologies that help to improve the production and cost-effectiveness of raw material crops with the potential to generate renewable energy, and for that, public and/or private investment is essential