Production of Transportation Fuel from Oil Scum by Methylesterification

Abstract

Oil scum, a by-product from the process of the cooking oil production, has not so far been utilized effectively because of its nature as follows. Oil scum is heavy alkaline and is comprised with neutral oil, soap, moisture and so on. In the present study, oil scum was converted into fuel by methylesterification that is the most popular process of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil. The effects of additions of methanol and water on its conversion are examined. Then it was demonstrated that the methyl ester yield was increased by recycling unreactant. Finally, the possibility of a hexane free process proposed is dis-cussed.