Title: Thermodynamic assessment and production process optimisation of waste cooking oil for sustainable biodiesel production

Authors: Md Nazeem Khan; Mohammad Zunaid; Amit Pal

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delhi Technological University, Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi-110042, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delhi Technological University, Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi-110042, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delhi Technological University, Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi-110042, India

Abstract: The objective of this research is to conduct thermodynamic assessments to determine inefficiencies, exergy inputs and outputs, and the impact of experimental variables on biodiesel production, exergy efficiency, and destruction. The results showed that the major exergy input required to stir per 1,080 kJ of biodiesel produced was 149.21 kJ as well as 131.99 kJ exergy destruction due to the transesterification process, mainly from heat dissipation and unreacted substances. Response surface methodology optimised the process, identifying the following optimal conditions for a 94.14% impressive biodiesel yield: 0.902% catalyst, 9.5:1 methanol-to-oil ratio, 595 rpm mixing, 64.72°C, and 62.5 min reaction time.

Keywords: WCO; biodiesel production; exergy analysis; optimisation; transesterification.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2024.141685

International Journal of Exergy, 2024 Vol.45 No.1/2, pp.94 - 108

Received: 04 May 2024
Accepted: 18 Jun 2024
Published online: 30 Sep 2024 *

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