The Production of Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil Using Calcium Oxide and Barium Oxide Nano Catalysts

A comparative study of biodiesel production at 60oC from waste cooking oils, using calcium oxide (CaO) nano catalyst, barium oxide (BaO) nano catalyst, and catalyst-free methanol was investigated. The waste cooking oils were evaluated for their physicochemical properties, revealing a pH of 2.9± 0.00, moisture content of 1.50 ±0.00%, density of 0.895±0. 00g/cm3 , acid value of 3.66±0.014mg KOH/g oil, free fatty acid value of 1.84±0.01% and saponification value of 196.58±0.32mg KOH/g oil. Biodiesel production was carried out using 1% CaO nano catalyst, 1% BaO nano catalyst, and catalyst-free methanol. The results showed that the BaO nano catalyst yielded the highest biodiesel production (94.56±0.51%), CaO nano catalyst was recorded as 90.53±0.67%, followed by the catalyst free methanol (85.07±0.04%). The fuel properties of the synthesized biodiesels showed very high flash points and higher viscosities than the conventional diesel. However, the flash point of 1% BaO nano catalyst (1830C) and its viscosity (16.0cP) are higher than the flash point (1810C) of 1% CaO nano catalyst and its viscosity (21.0cP), respectively. The study therefore, demonstrates the effectiveness of BaO nanoparticle in biodiesel production using waste cooking oil and highlights potential nano catalysts in the improvement of efficiency and sustainability of biodiesel production.