Biodiesel developed from used animal fats, vegetable oils

MANILA, Philippines - Researchers from the Aklan State University have developed diesel additives from used animal fats and vegetable oils, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) said.

Based on the study, used animal fats and vegetable oils from meat processing plants and food chains can be converted into biodiesel, which may be used in a standard combustion engine without modifications and may be blended with petroleum diesel to improve its quality.

These wastes, the researchers said, produce a clear liquid without unpleasant smell with the same properties as mineral fossil diesel oil.

ASU researchers said an engine fueled by a mixture of 80 percent petroleum diesel and 20 percent biodiesel has lesser smoke emissions and lower engine noise compared to that fueled by pure petroleum diesel.

The study also showed that petroleum diesel and biodiesel were similar in density, viscosity, pH, cloud point, and freezing point.

“Biodiesel does not only provide sustainable energy, but also ensures a sustainable environment because it is renewable or recyclable,” the researchers said.

Citing a previous study by the Department of Science and Technology, PCARRD said the biodiesel from vegetable oils and animal fats have been found to match, if not surpass, petroleum diesel in terms of engine performance and lifespan.

“Incidentally, the problem of disposing 2,000 kilograms of waste animal fats and oils produced by meat product manufacturers and food servers in Kalibo, Aklan and Boracay Island every month motivated the ASU researchers to conduct this study,” PCARRD said.

PCARRD said biodiesel is produced through “transesterification.” In this process, alcohol is used in the presence of a catalyst such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to produce alcohol esters of animal fats with glycerin as byproduct.

PCARRD said it evaluated this study during the recent Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium Research and Development Symposium.