Production and Analysis of Biodiesel from Waste Vegetable Oil Feedstock

The production of biodiesel from waste vegetable oil feedstock and ethanol was carried out in this work with the aim of investigating the effect of base catalysts (sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide) on the chemical and physical properties of the biodiesel produced. The biodiesel was produced using batch transesterification method. Some the parameters investigated included flash point, Cetane number, diesel index, cloud point, kinematic viscosity at 40 oC, density and so on. From the experimental results, the flash point was 164 oC, Cetane number 49, kinematic viscosity 5.87, cloud point 11 oC, and so on, when compared to the ASTM D6751 requirements were within the range specified for the various properties of biodiesel. It also shows that the values for the various chemical and physical properties are same or vary slightly for the base catalysts. Therefore the catalyst used does not affect the chemical and physical properties of the biodiesel produced from waste vegetable oil and ethanol. This further explores the principle of turning waste to wealth while contributing to a safer environment.