Glycerol from waste frying oil as sustainable fuel

Abstract

Abstract In search of renewable and environmentally friendly fuel, transesterification of waste frying oil was an excellent method to produce biodiesel. Transesterification was not only producing biodiesel but also creating glycerol as by product. Unfortunately, transesterification of waste frying oil causes the colour of glycerol usually dark brown due to impurities, caramelization, and Millard reaction. In order to improve quality of glycerol, absorption using activated charcoal was applied. Glycerol was intended to replace diesel fuel for boiler burner. Due to high viscosity, glycerol was mixed with methanol. Mixture of glycerol and methanol in various compositions was applied on boiler burner. By analyzing the flame and flue gas, composition of 10% glycerol and 90% methanol was the best mixture.