Sustainable Generation of Biodiesel using a Locally Available Bio-Based Substance as Non-Edible Feedstock

Abstract

Feedstock for biodiesel production as fuel is made up of mono-alkyl esters of long-chain fatty acids obtained from renewable sources such as vegetable oils and animal fats via a transesterification reaction with short-chain alcohol in the presence of a catalyst, which results in the washing water as a residue and glycerine as a co-product). The properties of the biodiesel produced are determined by the raw material characteristics and the alcohol used in the reaction. This research aims to make biodiesel from used cooking oil (Sunflowerbased) from a local restaurant in Baghdad city, Iraq. This will be accomplished using a transesterification reaction involving methanol as the alcohol and a basic catalyst, specifically potassium hydroxide. Various experiments will be carried out, with temperature and reaction time parameters varied to find the best fit. Even though this is a quick reaction, it still takes several hours, so some way to speed it up is required. As a result, it will be carried out in an ultrasonic bath to obtain faster reaction times. The use of ultrasound helps to speed up this process by causing cavitation bubbles to form.