Waste cooking oil as feedstock for small-scale biodiesel production

Abstract

Improper disposal of waste cooking oil is a growing problem in many urban countries along with hazardous and solid wastes. In this study, waste cooking palm oil (WCO) was used to produce alternative fuel resources such as biodiesel. The raw waste cooking oil was collected from a local chicken store of Tagum City, Davao del Norte. Through transesterification, potassium hydroxide (KOH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used as catalysts in two (2) different reaction times, 60 minutes and 120 minutes. Percentage volume yield was obtained. T-test was used to determine significant differences between the catalysts in 60-minute and 120-minute reaction time. The production of biodiesel from a low-cost WCO was successful. Research findings showed that the volume yield of biodiesel using NaOH and KOH within 60-minute reaction time were 36.5% and 70.17%, respectively. The biodiesel yield obtained using NaOH and KOH within 120-minute reaction time were 50.5% and 58.67%, respectively. T-test revealed a significant difference between NaOH and KOH catalysts within a 60-minute reaction time but no significant difference within 120-minute reaction time. It is recommended to conduct laboratory analysis to determine biodiesel components in terms of physical and chemical properties.