FAME biodiesel is the most popular type of alternative diesel fuel available today. FAME biodiesel is produced through transesterification of fats with methanol, the fats are obtained from vegetable oils or other fatty acids such as animal fats or waste cooking oils. Biodiesel is hydroscopic, meaning that it attracts moisture and once moisture sets in it can hydrolyze and form a variety of organic acids and bacteria. The main problem with FAME biodiesel is low oxidative stability meaning that it does not store well over time relative to petroleum diesel leading to the buildup of acids and sediments. Factors affecting oxidative stability include the degree of saturation of the feedstock, level of natural antioxidants, carbon chain length and the presence of glycerides.
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