Production of biodiesel from waste frying oils

Waste Manag. 2006;26(5):487-94. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2005.02.025. Epub 2005 Jun 17.

Abstract

Waste frying oils transesterification was studied with the purpose of achieving the best conditions for biodiesel production. Transesterification reactions were carried out for 1 h using waste frying oils (WFOs), methanol, and sodium hydroxide as catalyst. In order to determine the best conditions for biodiesel production, a series of experiments were carried out, using methanol/WFO molar ratios between 3.6 and 5.4 and catalyst/WFO weight ratios between 0.2% and 1.0%. For oils with an acid value of 0.42 mg KOH/g, results show that a methanol/WFO ratio of 4.8 and a catalyst/WFO ratio of 0.6% gives the highest yield of methyl esters. Furthermore, an increase in the amount of methanol or catalyst quantity seems to simplify the separation/purification of the methyl esters phase, as showed by a viscosity reduction and an increasing purity to values higher than 98% for methyl esters phase.

MeSH terms

  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Energy-Generating Resources*
  • Esterification
  • Fatty Acids / chemistry
  • Methanol / chemistry
  • Plant Oils*
  • Refuse Disposal / methods*
  • Sodium Hydroxide / chemistry
  • Waste Products*

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Plant Oils
  • Waste Products
  • Sodium Hydroxide
  • Methanol