Suitable Condition of Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil–Al-Baha City – KSA

Abstract

In this study biodiesel was synthesized from waste cooking oil from Al-Baha city – KSA by alkali catalyzed transesterification. Optimization of reaction conditions: catalyst amount, reaction temperature, reaction time and oil to methanol molar ratio have been studied. The best conversion value (96.33%) was obtained form 0.35 wt% NaOH catalyst amount, 30 min reaction time, 55°C reaction temperature and 1:6 oil to methanol molar ratio. Biodiesel viscosity, specific gravity, pour point, cloud point, acid value and cetane number were measured and compared with ASTM D 6571 standard for biodiesel. The fatty acid methyl esters have been analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry.