Biodiesel Production by Transesterification of Used Vegetable Oil

In this research, biodiesel was produced by transesterification of Used Vegetable Oil (UVO) via two stage process. Esterification of the Free Fatty Acid (FFA) in the UVO was carried out in the first stage, using methanol in the ratio of 1:3 and 2wt% tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid as catalyst at 50^oC. In the second stage, transesterification of the triglycerides (TGs) in the UVO was done using methanol in the ratio of 1:6 and 1wt% Sodium hydroxide as catalyst at 50^oC.  The physicochemical properties estimated also gave 158^oC, -2^oC, 8^oC, 0.863g/cm³, 32.462 and 0.5% for Flash Point, Pour Point, Cloud Point, Density (at 15^oC), API Gravity and Moisture Content respectively. These values were compared with that of fossil diesel and ASTM Standards. The overall result shows that Used Vegetable Oil is a good alternative feedstock for biodiesel production.

In this research, biodiesel was produced by transesterification of Used Vegetable Oil (UVO) via two stage process. Esterification of the Free Fatty Acid (FFA) in the UVO was carried out in the first stage, using methanol in the ratio of 1:3 and 2wt% tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid as catalyst at 50^oC. In the second stage, transesterification of the triglycerides (TGs) in the UVO was done using methanol in the ratio of 1:6 and 1wt% Sodium hydroxide as catalyst at 50^oC.  The physicochemical properties estimated also gave 158^oC, -2^oC, 8^oC, 0.863g/cm³, 32.462 and 0.5% for Flash Point, Pour Point, Cloud Point, Density (at 15^oC), API Gravity and Moisture Content respectively. These values were compared with that of fossil diesel and ASTM Standards. The overall result shows that Used Vegetable Oil is a good alternative feedstock for biodiesel production.