Comparison of Performance of Various Homogeneous AlkaliCatalysts in Transesterification of Waste Cooking Oil
K.A. Viraj Miyuranga, B.M.C.M. Balasuriya, Udara S.P.R. Arachchige, Randika Jayasinghe, Nuwan A. Weerasekara
Abstract
Biodiesel is an excellent substitute for fossil diesel, which received a significant attention in recent decades. Catalyst methods are frequently used to produce biodiesel at low temperatures and pressures. The present work investigates the methanolysis of waste cooking oil with the acid value of 1.86 mg KOH/g employing a variety of homogeneous base catalysts, including KOH, NaOH, CH3OK and CH3ONa. Among the studied catalysts, CH3OK produced the highest biodiesel yield at 99.0%, followed by CH3ONa, KOH and NaOH under the identical reaction conditions. The reaction was carried out for 30 min at 600 ºC and a speed of 600 rpm with a molar ratio of 6:1 for methanol-to-waste cooking oil (WCO) and a 1 wt.% catalyst. However, the viscosity, flash point, density and acid value of the biodiesel all met ASTM criteria, indicating that biodiesel made from KOH, NaOH, CH3OK and CH3ONa is of high quality.