Applied Chemical Engineering

Biodiesel from waste cooking oil produced via ultrasonic-assisted transesterification and its optimal performance in light truck

Dwi Widjanarko

Automotive Engineering Education Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Sekaran, Gunungpati, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Ratna Dewi Kusumaningtyas

Chemical Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Sekaran, Gunungpati, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Sucihatiningsih Dian Wisika Prajanti

Economic Development Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Sekaran, Gunungpati, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Samsudin Anis

Mechanical Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Sekaran, Gunungpati, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Harumi Veny

School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam Selangor, Malaysia

Hasan Maksum

Automotive Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang City, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Riski Deriansyah

Automotive Engineering Education Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Sekaran, Gunungpati, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Indra Wahyu Kurniawan

Automotive Engineering Education Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Sekaran, Gunungpati, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Krisma Nandes Al Rafi

Automotive Engineering Education Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Sekaran, Gunungpati, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v9i2.5921

Keywords: biodiesel; waste cooking oil; ultrasonic; transesterification; diesel engine performance

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Abstract

This work studied the production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil using an ultrasonic reactor and the testing of biodiesel fuel performance in a diesel engine on a light truck. The process for biodiesel production consisted of several steps, including waste cooking oil filtration, esterification, ultrasonic-assisted transesterification, biodiesel separation using the decantation process, washing, and drying. The main transesterification reaction was conducted using methanol with a molar ratio to the oil of 6:1 and a KOH catalyst of 1%. The reaction was accomplished at 60℃ in 30 minutes. Biodiesel produced was tested to reveal its main characteristics, i.e., flash point, density, viscosity, FAME content, and caloric values. Biodiesel was then mixed with commercial diesel fuel at various ratios (B40, B45, B50, B55, B60, and B65) and tested to evaluate their performance as fuel in a diesel engine on a light truck. A chassis dynamometer was used to measure vehicle torque and power in light trucks that resulted from biodiesel fuel, which was mixed with fossil diesel fuel at a range of ratios. The test revealed that the biodiesel fuels met the standards of fuel characteristics, and the performance in a diesel engine was comparable to that of a diesel engine powered by diesel oil.

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