The role of biodiesel in marine decarbonization: Technological innovations and ocean engineering challenges

The maritime sector, which contributes approximately 3 % to the total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is under increasing scrutiny to meet the decarbonization targets set forth by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the year 2050. Biodiesel, characterized by its renewable attrib...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: D. Christopher Selvam, T. Raja, Beemkumar Nagappan, Vijay J. Upadhye, J. Guntaj, Yuvarajan Devarajan, Ruby Mishra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Results in Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025000623
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1841544028829515776
author D. Christopher Selvam
T. Raja
Beemkumar Nagappan
Vijay J. Upadhye
J. Guntaj
Yuvarajan Devarajan
Ruby Mishra
author_facet D. Christopher Selvam
T. Raja
Beemkumar Nagappan
Vijay J. Upadhye
J. Guntaj
Yuvarajan Devarajan
Ruby Mishra
author_sort D. Christopher Selvam
collection DOAJ
description The maritime sector, which contributes approximately 3 % to the total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is under increasing scrutiny to meet the decarbonization targets set forth by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the year 2050. Biodiesel, characterized by its renewable attributes and potential to diminish GHG emissions by as much as 80 %, emerges as a plausible alternative to traditional marine fuels. This research conducts a comprehensive analysis of the significance of biodiesel in the context of marine decarbonization, accentuating its benefits, which include reductions in Nitrogen oxide (Nox) emissions by up to 40 % and enhancements in fuel efficiency ranging from 3 % to 5 %, achieved through advancements such as nanoparticle additives and hybrid engine technologies. The study identifies challenges associated with biodiesel, including its 10 % to 12 % lower energy density and suboptimal cold flow characteristics, while proposing solutions that encompass innovative additives and thermal management strategies. The discourse further encompasses policy implications, logistical considerations of the supply chain, and the exploration of emerging feedstocks, notably algae-derived biodiesel. These insights establish biodiesel as a pragmatic, scalable, and ecologically sustainable fuel alternative for the maritime sector while delineating avenues to mitigate technological and operational challenges.
format Article
id doaj-art-f772f5fb2649479d8ad623e97e989e74
institution Kabale University
issn 2590-1230
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Results in Engineering
spelling doaj-art-f772f5fb2649479d8ad623e97e989e742025-01-13T04:19:08ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-03-0125103974The role of biodiesel in marine decarbonization: Technological innovations and ocean engineering challengesD. Christopher Selvam0T. Raja1Beemkumar Nagappan2Vijay J. Upadhye3J. Guntaj4Yuvarajan Devarajan5Ruby Mishra6Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jain (Deemed to be University), Banglore, Karnataka, India; Parul Institute of Applied Science, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India; Centre for Research and Outcome, Chitkara Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India; Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Odisha, India; Centre for Marine and Aquatic Research, Department of Prosthodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, SIMATS, Saveetha University, Chennai, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Jain (Deemed to be University), Banglore, Karnataka, IndiaParul Institute of Applied Science, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, IndiaCentre for Research and Outcome, Chitkara Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; Corresponding author.Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Odisha, IndiaThe maritime sector, which contributes approximately 3 % to the total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is under increasing scrutiny to meet the decarbonization targets set forth by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the year 2050. Biodiesel, characterized by its renewable attributes and potential to diminish GHG emissions by as much as 80 %, emerges as a plausible alternative to traditional marine fuels. This research conducts a comprehensive analysis of the significance of biodiesel in the context of marine decarbonization, accentuating its benefits, which include reductions in Nitrogen oxide (Nox) emissions by up to 40 % and enhancements in fuel efficiency ranging from 3 % to 5 %, achieved through advancements such as nanoparticle additives and hybrid engine technologies. The study identifies challenges associated with biodiesel, including its 10 % to 12 % lower energy density and suboptimal cold flow characteristics, while proposing solutions that encompass innovative additives and thermal management strategies. The discourse further encompasses policy implications, logistical considerations of the supply chain, and the exploration of emerging feedstocks, notably algae-derived biodiesel. These insights establish biodiesel as a pragmatic, scalable, and ecologically sustainable fuel alternative for the maritime sector while delineating avenues to mitigate technological and operational challenges.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025000623BiodieselMarine decarbonizationEmission standardsDiesel EngineSustainable Practices
spellingShingle D. Christopher Selvam
T. Raja
Beemkumar Nagappan
Vijay J. Upadhye
J. Guntaj
Yuvarajan Devarajan
Ruby Mishra
The role of biodiesel in marine decarbonization: Technological innovations and ocean engineering challenges
Results in Engineering
Biodiesel
Marine decarbonization
Emission standards
Diesel Engine
Sustainable Practices
title The role of biodiesel in marine decarbonization: Technological innovations and ocean engineering challenges
title_full The role of biodiesel in marine decarbonization: Technological innovations and ocean engineering challenges
title_fullStr The role of biodiesel in marine decarbonization: Technological innovations and ocean engineering challenges
title_full_unstemmed The role of biodiesel in marine decarbonization: Technological innovations and ocean engineering challenges
title_short The role of biodiesel in marine decarbonization: Technological innovations and ocean engineering challenges
title_sort role of biodiesel in marine decarbonization technological innovations and ocean engineering challenges
topic Biodiesel
Marine decarbonization
Emission standards
Diesel Engine
Sustainable Practices
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025000623
work_keys_str_mv AT dchristopherselvam theroleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT traja theroleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT beemkumarnagappan theroleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT vijayjupadhye theroleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT jguntaj theroleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT yuvarajandevarajan theroleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT rubymishra theroleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT dchristopherselvam roleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT traja roleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT beemkumarnagappan roleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT vijayjupadhye roleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT jguntaj roleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT yuvarajandevarajan roleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges
AT rubymishra roleofbiodieselinmarinedecarbonizationtechnologicalinnovationsandoceanengineeringchallenges