Performance evaluation of ethanol-derived waste cooking oil biodiesel in a forced-draft commercial burner system
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58712/ie.v3i1.44Keywords:
waste cooking oil, biodiesel, ethanol-based transesterification, forced-draft burner, combustion performanceAbstract
The improper disposal of waste cooking oil (WCO) presents significant environmental challenges, yet its potential as a renewable fuel remains underutilized. This study optimized the conversion of WCO into biodiesel through a two-step esterification and transesterification process and evaluated its performance in a commercial burner system compared to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The process employed acid-catalyzed esterification followed by alkaline transesterification using ethanol and potassium hydroxide, with ethanol-to-oil molar ratios of 11:1, 12:1, and 13:1. The 13:1 ratio was identified as optimal, yielding 165.85 g of crude biodiesel per 100 g of oil with reduced glycerol formation. Physicochemical characterization revealed a flash point of 160°C and a calorific value of 35.65 MJ/kg, satisfying key ASTM D6751 requirements. However, the density of 0.9756 g/mL exceeded the standard range, suggesting the presence of residual ethanol and the need for improved post-treatment purification. Performance testing showed that the biodiesel-fueled burner heated 1 L of water in 381.33 s, compared to 420.67 s for LPG, demonstrating enhanced heating performance. The system achieved a thermal efficiency of 19.46% and a specific fuel consumption of 1.48 MJ/L. Emission analysis confirmed complete combustion, with carbon monoxide levels of 22.3 ppm and zero hydrocarbon emissions. The improved performance is attributed to the use of a forced-draft burner system, which enhances fuel atomization and combustion stability. Overall, the results demonstrate that transesterified WCO is a viable and cleaner alternative to conventional fossil fuels, offering a practical waste-to-energy solution for small-scale commercial cooking applications.
Downloads
References
O. Awogbemi and D. V. Von Kallon, “Conversion of hazardous waste cooking oil into non-fuel value added products,” International Journal of Ambient Energy, vol. 45, no. 1, Dec. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1080/01430750.2024.2345253
A. Kumar et al., “Valorization of used cooking oil: challenges, current developments, life cycle assessment and future prospects,” Discover Sustainability, vol. 6, no. 1, p. 119, Feb. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-00905-7
S. Sankhyan, P. Kumar, S. Pandit, and S. Ray, “Valorization of waste cooking oil: Emerging strategies for bio-based product development,” Biomass Bioenergy, vol. 202, p. 108244, Nov. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2025.108244
V. Beghetto, “Waste Cooking Oils into High-Value Products: Where Is the Industry Going?,” Polymers (Basel)., vol. 17, no. 7, p. 887, Mar. 2025, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17070887
M. Melikoglu, “Sustainable transformation of waste cooking oil: A global review of valorization pathways and future directions,” Next Materials, vol. 11, p. 101730, Apr. 2026, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2026.101730
V. Beghetto, “Strategies for the Transformation of Waste Cooking Oils into High-Value Products: A Critical Review,” Polymers (Basel)., vol. 17, no. 3, p. 368, Jan. 2025, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17030368
M. Melikoglu, “Sustainable transformation of waste cooking oil: A global review of valorization pathways and future directions,” Next Materials, vol. 11, p. 101730, Apr. 2026, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2026.101730
R. Nabizadeh et al., “Energy and cost analysis of bottom waste cooking oil (B-WCO) based solid alcohol biofuel and supernatant waste cooking oil (S-WCO) based biodiesel,” Heliyon, vol. 11, no. 4, p. e42180, Feb. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42180
Monika, S. Banga, and V. V. Pathak, “Biodiesel production from waste cooking oil: A comprehensive review on the application of heterogenous catalysts,” Energy Nexus, vol. 10, p. 100209, Jun. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2023.100209
M. Cerón Ferrusca, R. Romero, S. L. Martínez, A. Ramírez-Serrano, and R. Natividad, “Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil: A Perspective on Catalytic Processes,” Processes, vol. 11, no. 7, p. 1952, Jun. 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11071952
G. Knothe, “Dependence of biodiesel fuel properties on the structure of fatty acid alkyl esters,” Fuel Processing Technology, vol. 86, no. 10, pp. 1059–1070, Jun. 2005, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2004.11.002
F. Ma and M. A. Hanna, “Biodiesel production: a review1Journal Series #12109, Agricultural Research Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.1,” Bioresour. Technol., vol. 70, no. 1, pp. 1–15, Oct. 1999, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(99)00025-5
B. Freedman, R. O. Butterfield, and E. H. Pryde, “Transesterification kinetics of soybean oil 1,” J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc., vol. 63, no. 10, pp. 1375–1380, Oct. 1986, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02679606
A. Demirbas, Biodiesel. London: Springer London, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-995-8
M. Canakci and J. Van Gerpen, “Biodiesel production from oils and fats with high free fatty acids,” Transactions of the ASAE, vol. 44, no. 6, 2001, https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.7010
J. Van Gerpen, “Biodiesel processing and production,” Fuel Processing Technology, vol. 86, no. 10, pp. 1097–1107, Jun. 2005, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2004.11.005
F. Danane et al., “Experimental optimization of Waste Cooking Oil ethanolysis for biodiesel production using Response Surface Methodology (RSM),” Science and Technology for Energy Transition, vol. 77, p. 14, Jul. 2022, https://doi.org/10.2516/stet/2022014
D. Tsaoulidis, E. Garciadiego-Ortega, and P. Angeli, “Intensified biodiesel production from waste cooking oil and flow pattern evolution in small-scale reactors,” Frontiers in Chemical Engineering, vol. 5, Apr. 2023, https://doi.org/10.3389/fceng.2023.1144009
D. Y. C. Leung, X. Wu, and M. K. H. Leung, “A review on biodiesel production using catalyzed transesterification,” Appl. Energy, vol. 87, no. 4, pp. 1083–1095, Apr. 2010, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2009.10.006
D. Rimantho, V. A. Pratomo, E. A. Pane, and N. Noywuli, “Quality Function Deployment Method for Cooking Stove Design Using Hermetia Illucens Oil,” Mathematical Modelling of Engineering Problems, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 103–114, Jan. 2025, https://doi.org/10.18280/mmep.120112
Y. Zhang, “Biodiesel production from waste cooking oil: 1. Process design and technological assessment,” Bioresour. Technol., vol. 89, no. 1, pp. 1–16, Aug. 2003, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(03)00040-3
A. Eladeb, A. Aydi, and I. Alenezi, “Ethanolysis of Waste Cooking oils using KOH Catalyst,” Oriental Journal Of Chemistry, vol. 37, no. 6, pp. 1344–1349, Dec. 2021, https://doi.org/10.13005/ojc/370611
K. A. Viraj Miyuranga, U. S. P. R. Arachchige, B. M. C. M. Balasuriya, R. A. Jayasinghe, and N. A. Weerasekara, “Production of Biodiesel in the Presence of Co-Solvents in Transesterification: A Review,” Asian Journal of Chemistry, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 254–276, Jan. 2023, https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2023.24009
K. A. V. Miyuranga, U. S. P. R. Arachchige, T. M. M. Marso, and G. Samarakoon, “Biodiesel Production through the Transesterification of Waste Cooking Oil over Typical Heterogeneous Base or Acid Catalysts,” Catalysts, vol. 13, no. 3, p. 546, Mar. 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13030546
I. A. Musa, “The effects of alcohol to oil molar ratios and the type of alcohol on biodiesel production using transesterification process,” Egyptian Journal of Petroleum, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 21–31, Mar. 2016, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpe.2015.06.007
C. Carlucci, “An Overview on the Production of Biodiesel Enabled by Continuous Flow Methodologies,” Catalysts, vol. 12, no. 7, p. 717, Jun. 2022, https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12070717
W. M. Kedir, K. T. Wondimu, and G. S. Weldegrum, “Optimization and characterization of biodiesel from waste cooking oil using modified CaO catalyst derived from snail shell,” Heliyon, vol. 9, no. 5, p. e16475, May 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16475
H. Gupta, K. Thakkar, S. S. Kachhwaha, and P. Kodgire, “Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil Using Sequential Process Intensification Technique (Ultrasound and Microwave),” IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng., vol. 1146, no. 1, p. 012005, May 2021, https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1146/1/012005
M. Saad, B. Siyo, and H. Alrakkad, “Preparation and characterization of biodiesel from waste cooking oils using heterogeneous Catalyst(Cat.TS-7) based on natural zeolite,” Heliyon, vol. 9, no. 6, p. e15836, Jun. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15836
M. Ulfah, Firdaus, S. Octavia, H. Suherman, and Subagjo, “Biodiesel Production Through Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) Esterification Using Sulfated Alumina as Catalyst,” IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng., vol. 543, no. 1, p. 012007, Jun. 2019, https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/543/1/012007
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ma. Leona Maye B. Pepito, Jasper V. Acierto, Katrina Mae S. Raiz, Lance Erroyl J. Sambaan, Alyssa Mae S. Tabasa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
