Optimization of Process Variables for the Production of Methyl Esters from Waste Cooking Oil

P. Santosh Babji, B.V. Appa Rao, Aditya Kolakoti

Abstract: The objective is to maximize the yield of the methyl ester from the waste cooking oil. Trials were made with reaction time, reaction temperature, catalyst concentration, and molar ratio as the process variables. After several iterations, for the particular waste cooking oil available, it is arrived that the reaction temperature is 550 C, reaction time 55 minutes, catalyst concentration of 7gm/liter of oil, and molar ratio of 61 for the yield to reach a maximum percentage of 95 %.

Keywords: Fatty acid compositions, Gas chromatography, Waste cooking oil methyl ester, yield