Production of biodiesel from waste frying oils.
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.
Felizardo
Pedro
P
Department of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal.
Correia
M Joana Neiva
MJ
Raposo
Idalina
I
Mendes
João F
JF
Berkemeier
Rui
R
Bordado
João Moura
JM
D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources; D004951:Esterification; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D010938:Plant Oils; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D014866:Waste Products
D005227:Fatty Acids; D010938:Plant Oils; D014866:Waste Products; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D000432:Methanol