Maximizing the yield of production of biodiesel from animal fat

Abstract

This study investigates the transesterification of chicken fat to produce biodiesel, focusing on the effects of catalyst weight, alcohol-to-fat ratio, and reaction time on biodiesel yield. Utilizing 100 grams of chicken fat as the feedstock, various catalyst weights (0.5 g, 1.0 g, and 1.5 g) were tested, revealing that increased catalyst weight positively correlated with biodiesel yield, achieving a maximum yield of 90% at 1.5 g of catalyst. The alcohol-to-fat ratios of 4:1, 6:1, and 7:1 were also examined, with the optimal ratio of 6:1 resulting in a yield of 92%. Additionally, reaction times of 1, 1.5, 2, and 4 hours demonstrated that longer reaction times generally enhance biodiesel yield, with a maximum yield of 89% observed at 4 hours. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing reaction parameters to maximize biodiesel production from chicken fat, highlighting its potential as a sustainable and renewable energy source. The study contributes valuable insights into the biodiesel production process, paving the way for further research into the utilization of animal fats as viable feedstocks for biodiesel synthesis.