1Associate Professors, Department of Chemistry, Sri Aurobindo College (University of Delhi), Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, 110017, India
2Associate Professors, Department of Chemistry, Sri Aurobindo College (University of Delhi), Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, 110017, India
3BSc Student, Department of Chemistry, Sri Aurobindo College (University of Delhi), Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, 110017, India
*Corresponding author email id: acnine@yahoo.com
Base-catalysed transesterification of waste cooking oil for the production of biodiesel was assisted by the addition of co-solvent tetrahydrofuran (THF). In addition to lowering of reaction temperature and reduction in reaction time for transesterification, THF facilitated production of methyl ester in a single phase. THF-assisted base-catalysed reaction was optimised for various parameters. Maximum biodiesel production (92.8%) was obtained with 4% THF, 0.6% sodium methoxide (catalyst), 6:1 methanol-to-oil ratio, 45 min reaction time and 50°C reaction temperature. Added to this, maximum glycerol recovery (18.62%) was obtained at 50°C using lower concentrations of THF (2%). Use of THF highlights even more economically viable and greener potential for biodiesel production as this co-solvent is non-toxic, un-reactive and of biomass origin.
Biodiesel, Waste cooking oil, Transesterification, Tetrahydrofuran, Optimisation, Glycerol recovery, Economic viability
