Diesel-Like Biofuels Production Using Fatty Waste

Lyvia Menezes,Grace Ghesti,Paulo Suarez

doi:10.21577/0103-5053.20220007

Abstract

According to the waste-to-energy (WTE) valorization and circular economy principles, the use of waste oil and grease (WOG) for obtaining biofuels shows the tendency towards sustainability, makes the interest in green chemistry, and the development of environmentally friendly processes grow. Three different fatty wastes (from the fat trap of a sewage station, lard waste, and frying oil) were analyzed and this work showed they have no potentially toxic metals. The frying oil sample and residual lard waste showed a higher percentage of triacylglycerides resulting in higher biodiesel conversion. The samples showed physical and chemical properties (density, viscosity, and ash) within the limits established by current regulations. Bio-oil samples formed a mixture of carboxylic acids, with high acidity. However, the parameters that deviated from the maximum permitted by the standard could be adjusted blending with petroleum diesel, replacing partially the fossil energy carriers with biomass-derived energy carriers which could bring positive impacts from multiple perspectives, i.e., economic, environmental, and health.

Highlights

The production and employment of alternative fuels[1,2,3,4] and the correct disposal of solid waste[5,6] is a subject of discussion all over the world and in Brazil, as a result of fossil fuel scarcity, global warming, climate change, and successive environmental tragedies, affecting populations and the ecosystem
The density and viscosity of all products are lower than raw materials and the acidity and carbon residue of formed biodiesel are smaller than bio-oil
This work demonstrated that waste oils and grease (WOG) from sewage networks or other residual sources can be used to produce biodiesel that matches the Brazilian and international specifications

Summary

Introduction

The production and employment of alternative fuels[1,2,3,4] and the correct disposal of solid waste[5,6] is a subject of discussion all over the world and in Brazil, as a result of fossil fuel scarcity, global warming, climate change, and successive environmental tragedies, affecting populations and the ecosystem. Refined vegetable oils[37] with low free fatty acid (FFA) content (< 0.5 wt.%) are widely applied with alkaline catalysts and acid catalysts are employed with high FFA content (>1.0 wt.%), as WOG, to avoid soap formation.[40,41]

Results

Conclusion