Sustainable biodiesel synthesis from vegetable oils used in restaurants

Abstract

Biodiesel is known as a renewable, less polluting and biodegradable feedstock. This is due to the transesterification of triglycerides found in vegetable oil and animal fats. Therefore, the sustainable synthesis of biodiesel from used vegetable oil (AVU) in restaurants in La Esperanza was proposed as a general objective. First, the oil was heated to 60°C, then all impurities were filtered out of this sample with the help of filter paper; subsequently, the sample was characterized by parameters such as density, viscosity and acidity index. The homogeneous catalyzed transesterification was carried out using methanol as alcohol and potassium hydroxide (KOH) as catalyst, obtaining biodiesel and glycerin. In addition, the study variables were: agitation speed (800 rpm and 1000 rpm), amount of oil (80 g and 100 g), amount of catalyst (2 g and 6 g) and amount of methanol (40 g, 60 g, and 80 g). As a result, it was identified that at 60 g of methanol a higher yield of 77.19% was obtained. In conclusion, this proposal was viable because it is effective and appropriate for future projects. It also creates a culture of care for the environment and sanitary infrastructure, and provides a solution to the poor disposal of these contaminated wastes. On the other hand, we recommend applying more treatments and different homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts; in this way, it is possible to specify this biocombustion process.