Synthesis of Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil by Alkali Catalyzed Transesterification

Abstract

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel to petroleum diesel because it is renewable sources and considered to be smart waste management solution for used cooking oil since plenty amount of waste cooking oil is being produced from households and restaurants. Irresponsible practice to get rid of this waste is by pouring it down the sink or drain. However this practice causes damage mainly to the ecosystem (water pollution). In this study, biodiesel was synthesized from waste cooking oil by alkali catalyzed transesterification method. Alkali transesterification is a reaction between oil and alcohol in presence of alkali catalyst. Methanol and sodium hydroxide were used in this transesterification. Treated oil and sodium methoxide mix at constant temperature for certain period to yield methyl ester and glycerin. Characterization was carried out by using thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and normal analytical methods mainly for density and viscosity. This study shows that biodiesel was successfully synthesized from waste cooking oil and characterization of the synthesize biodiesel was almost similar to the conventional diesel. From this, it can be concluded that pollution caused by disposal of waste cooking oil can be turned into value-added product.