(569ez) Methanolysis of Waste Cooking Oil for Biodiesel Production Via Electrolysis Using Potassium Hydroxide Catalyst

This research investigates a novel electrolysis procedure for biodiesel production and glycerine as a by-product from waste frying oil (WFO), employing simultaneous esterification and transesterification using NaOH as the homogeneous catalyst. In this method, OH^‾ ions are produced at the cathode electrode and transform into nucleophilic methoxide ions, which then initiate the production of biodiesel by attacking the carbon triglyceride. The electrolysis method resulted in a high biodiesel yield (97%), while the water content was relatively high at 2 wt.% of the total content of the reaction mixture and WFO containing 3.3 wt% of free fatty acid (FFA), in the presence of 1 wt.% NaOH, at 30 volts, and a methanol/oil ratio of 7:1 using acetone as a co-solvent. (Trans)esterification was done for two hours at room temperature without a side saponification reaction. The synthesized biodiesel was characterized for its physical and fuel properties, including cloud point, pour point, flash point, density, and viscosity contents, applying ASTM D6751. FTIR and viscosity were used as assessing techniques for the detection of biodiesel and WFO. This electrolysis procedure shows promise for advancing new process developments in converting high FFA and water-containing feedstock into second-generation biodiesel.