Biodiesel Production Using Waste Cooking Oil: An Instrumentation and Control Technology Lab Apparatus
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Abstract
The study titled "Biodiesel Production Using Waste Cooking Oil: An Instrumentation and Control Technology Lab Apparatus" aimed to design and develop a moveable device for the transesterification process to produce biodiesel from waste cooking oil. The primary goal was to create a device that is efficient, reliable, and suitable for laboratory use, particularly for academic purposes of Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology program. Initial pre-laboratory experiments were conducted to determine optimal conditions, and three trials were performed with varying parameters, including temperature, stirring speed, and alcohol type, to refine the apparatus and enhance biodiesel quality. Methanol was chosen as the alcohol, resulting in a clear and clean biodiesel product. Testing confirmed that the apparatus was functional, reliable, safe, and effective. Experimental results showed that with constant parameters (1 liter of waste cooking oil, 5 grams of sodium hydroxide, 250 ml of methanol, 55–65°C temperature, 300 RPM stirring speed, and a 30-minute duration), biodiesel yields were 991 ml in Trial 1 and 992 ml in Trial 2, with glycerol yields of 248 grams and 249 grams, respectively. This consistency indicates the apparatus's effectiveness. Key findings from RTF Scientific Instrument Trading validated the biodiesel’s quality, noting properties like density (886.1 kg/m³), flash point (104°C), and viscosity (4.94 cSt), along with successful distillation results. Environmental impact analysis showed a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional fuels, with biodiesel emitting only 5.87 pounds of CO₂ per gallon. The study also produced a laboratory manual for ease of use in educational settings, demonstrating the feasibility of using locally sourced materials to create a portable, eco-friendly biodiesel production apparatus. Overall, the apparatus is user-friendly and contributes to cleaner, renewable energy solutions.
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