Synthesis of economically viable biodiesel from waste frying oils (WFO)

Abstract

Abstract In present communication, waste frying oil (WFO) has been used as a feedstock for biodiesel synthesis. WFO, procured from a local Indian restaurant possessed an acid value of 0.84 mg KOH/g, which is low enough for single step transesterification reaction. Biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters) was washed after transesterification reaction and the yield got lowered substantially (from 96% to 86.36%) after water washing owing to loss of esters. 30:100 vol% (methanol to oil), 0.6 wt% NaOCH 3 , 60°C temperature and 600 rpm agitation in 1 h reaction time was found to be optimum for transesterification reaction. 1 H NMR spectrum showed a high conversion (95.19%) of fatty acids in WFO to biodiesel in 2 h reaction time. Almost complete conversion (99.68%) was attained in 2 h reaction time. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering