Affiliation:
1. R.M.K. College of Engineering and Technology, Department of
2. Saveetha School of Engineering
3. Sri Krishna College of Technology, Department of Mechanical
Abstract
<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">The study aims to produce biodiesel from waste cooking oil and compare the
effects of two different catalysts (KOH and CaO) on the transesterification
process. Homogeneous catalysts and heterogeneous catalysts are the two types of
catalysts used in the transesterification process to produce biodiesel. In the
present investigation, homogeneous catalysts KOH and heterogeneous catalyst CaO
are used in the transesterification reaction. Catalysts are used to accelerate
the reaction and increase reaction efficiency. The reaction temperature is set
at 65°C. A methanol-to-waste cooking oil ratio of 6:1 is used for KOH and 8:1
for CaO. The catalyst amount is maintained at 2% of the weight of palmitic acid
relative to the weight of waste cooking oil. The reaction time is 150 minutes
for KOH and 240 minutes for CaO catalysts. The blends include B50C (50%
biodiesel with CaO as catalyst and 50% conventional diesel fuel), B50K (50%
biodiesel with KOH as catalyst and 50% conventional diesel fuel), B100C (100%
biodiesel with CaO as catalyst), and B100K (100% biodiesel with KOH as
catalyst). The characteristics of the blends are assessed through the
measurement of properties like viscosity, density, cetane number, and flash
point. Biodiesel produced with heterogeneous catalyst (CaO) has a higher flash
point and increased viscosity. It may be related to a less heterogeneous
catalyst remaining in biodiesel fuel. The experimental test results indicate
that biodiesel produced with heterogeneous catalyst (CaO) showed more power than
its counterpart. The GHG emission (CO<sub>2</sub>) is slightly higher for B50C
& B100C. In the case of NOx emissions, it is higher for blends and
particularly for B50C & B100C as the flash point is higher leading to
increased combustion temperature.</div></div>