The phrase “Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil” refers to a broad wide
range of unconventional fuels generated from different kinds of oils and fats. The
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) defines biodiesel as “monoalkyl
esters of long chain fatty acids,” which can be produced by the transesterification of
vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled cooking oil. The key factor leading to fossil fuel
reserves being depleted is the increasing demand for these resources. Increasing the
development of biomass fuels like biodiesel might help get us out of this jam. Oil
molecules are reacted with alcohol and a catalyst to produce methyl esters in the
transesterification process during biodiesel production from cooking oil. In Colombia,
palm oil and methanol are used to produce biodiesel and it shares the second place with
Colombia as Latin America's top ethanol producer.
Waste cooking oil disposal causes several environmental issues. In addition, sewer
overflows and the subsequent spread of illness might be the consequence of years of
pipe wear and tear. As a renewable and biodegradable biofuel, biodiesel has the
potential to reduce environmental damage by displacing the need for fossil fuels. Palm
biodiesel, either on its own or blended with diesel fuel, is effective in lowering carbon
dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, respectively.
This chapter discusses the transesterification process as a method of creating biodiesel.
It consists of three sequential and reversible reactions. It begins with a conversion from
triglyceride to diacylglycerol, then continues to monoglyceride and glycerin. In
particular, this chapter provides an in-depth analysis of several cooking oils, including
their salient qualities and the most common pests. Most biodiesel originates from
oilseed plants, such as palm, rapeseed, canola, sunflower, soy, and animal fats. The
creation of biodiesel, however, may utilize anything that includes triglycerides. Used
oil from the kitchen may be recycled into biodiesel at a low cost.
Keywords: Biodiesel, Chemical catalyst, Esterification, Transesterification, Waste Cooking oil (WCO).
