New research could make turning waste cooking oil into biofuel easier and quicker

In the UK, De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) reported that a group of its researchers have pioneered a new manufacturing process which could make the creation of biofuel from waste cooking oil faster and more efficient.

Professor Katherine Huddersman, Dr Rawaz Ahmed, Saana Rashid, and Ketan Ruperalia, all based in a team of experts from DMU’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, have created a new fibrous mesh-based catalyst which drives the reaction that separates vegetable oil and animal fats into biofuel and glycerol.

Waste cooking oil often contains higher amounts of free fatty acids than fresh oil, which generates more soap, hindering the reaction further, according to the report.

The fibrous-mesh catalyst, lacking any sodium, creates no soap. It has a large surface area, can work continuously, and can be regenerated for repeated use. Overall production time is quicker and it can be used at lower temperatures, making the process more energy efficient.

This means biofuel can be manufactured in larger quantities, with immediate potential applications in many industries, particularly shipping, the university added.

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