STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Journal of Modern Chemistry & Chemical Technology

Synthesis and Characterization of Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oils by Acid and Base Catalysis

  1. Samuel Tetteh
  2. Famous Siadah
  3. John Prosper Kwaku Adotey

Abstract

In this study, biodiesel was synthesized by the transesterification reaction involving methanol and triglyceride obtained from waster cooking oil (WCO) in a laboratory scale reactor. Different concentrations of catalysts such as sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) were employed in the reactions. The feedstock samples were gathered from neighbourhood eateries in Ghana's Cape Coast metropolis. Investigations were done into how variables including temperature, reaction time, methanol/WCO ratio, and catalyst concentration affected the conversion of biodiesel. Biodiesel yield of 70-90% were obtained at the methanol/WCO ratio of 3:1-7:1, temperature of 50- 65oC, KOH concentration of 0.5-1.0%, H2SO4 concentration of 1-5% and a reaction time of 30-120 minutes. Optimal conditions of 5% H2SO4, reaction time of 60 minutes, temperature of 60oC and methanol/WCO ratio of 5:1 were obtained for a corresponding yield of 90% biodiesel conversion. Various physical properties such as density, pour point, flash point and viscosity of the optimal products were found to be within the required specification limits of the ASTM International standards requirements.
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