| Abstract: | New biodiesel production processes comprising one‐step and two‐step supercritical dimethyl carbonate methods have been pioneered. The use of dimethyl carbonate allows the reaction conditions to be mild and thus avoid unwanted deterioration of substrates during reaction. In this process, without any catalyst applied, supercritical dimethyl carbonate converts triglycerides (rapeseed oil) into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) along with glycerol carbonate as a value‐added by‐product, instead of glycerol. Free fatty acids could be also converted into FAME so that the total yield of biodiesel for both methods resulted in over 96 wt%. In addition, the produced FAME satisfy the fuel requirements for the international standards of biodiesel specification. |
