Biodiesel Production from Waste Animal Fat by Transesterification Using H2SO4and KOH Catalysts: A Study of Physiochemical Properties

Abstract

Biodiesel is marketed as a long-term renewable fuel that may partially replace fossil fuels in transportation while also helping to reduce global warming. The current study is focused on using waste animal fat as a feedstock for biodiesel production. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) are used as catalysts, with methanol as an alcohol. Temperature at 60°C, reaction time 2 hrs for acid catalyst, and 55°C, reaction time 90 min for base catalyst with a methanol to oil ratio of 5: 1 are the experimental and optimized process conditions. With the H2SO4 catalyst, the biodiesel yield was 65.7%, while with the KOH catalyst, it was 48.8%. The ASTM standards are used to compare and study the physicochemical characteristics. This study offers an environmentally friendly solution to a global problem of atmospheric pollution, and at the same time, it shows a commercial alternative to reduce the ecological impact caused by waste animal fat.