Characterization of Waste Cooking Oil for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

Waste cooking oil is one of the sources that can contributes to the water pollution. It originates from the preparation of food in the cafeterias and can be harmful to the environment. Therefore, production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil is the best alternative and further studies need to be done on the characterization of waste cooking oil. This study investigates the characteristics of waste cooking oil from cafeterias in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Bangi for biodiesel production. Parameters and characteristics of waste cooking oil are very important to determine the quality and suitability of biodiesel that will be produced. Characteristics that need to be observed are kinematic viscosity, saponification, flash point, moisture content and free fatty acid. Observations were done and being compared with the specification of biodiesel stated in the standard ASTM D6751. Methods that have been conducted are ASTM D7042, AOCS Cc 9b-55, AOCS Cd 3-25 and titration. Based on the results, waste cooking oil in UKM have kinematic viscosity of 39.74-56.04 (±4.904) mm2/s, saponification value of 198.0-205.5 (±2.853) mgKOH/g, flash point value of 198-290 (±44.321) ºC, moisture content of 0.02 to 0.51 (±0.0712) % and free fatty acid value of 0.52-4.74 (±0.047) %. From the comparison with ASTM D6751, samples show a very high values for each parameter and transesterification need to be done so that all the values can be reduce and biodiesel can be produced.