Loading...
Citations
Altmetric:
Keywords
Date
2005
Collections
Files
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
A. Fröhlich, B. Rice. (2005) Evaluation of Recovered Vegetable Oil as a Biodiesel Feedstock. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research 44: 129–139
Abstract
About 7,000 t of recovered vegetable oil (RVO) are collected in Ireland each year. The
use of this material in animal feed has been banned under recent EU legislation
because of food safety and animal health concerns. In order to assess its potential as a
biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester) feedstock, twenty-two 350-kg batches, with a wide
range of acid values, were esterified. Ester properties were largely within specification,
though variable low-temperature properties sometimes caused the material to be
unsuitable for winter use. This problem could be overcome by blending with mineral
diesel, but the addition of two pour-point depressants had little effect. Total glycerol
concentrations in some batches were high; it could be improved by small changes in the
process. Ester yields were low, due mainly to dissolution of ester in the glycerol, but
also to saponification of the triglycerides. Tests of the biodiesel in vehicles showed no
adverse effects on engine or lubricating oil. Specific fuel consumption was slightly
higher than with mineral diesel, which would be expected with biodiesel from any feedstock.
The results indicate that it is possible to produce biodiesel of acceptable quality
from RVO. Where ester low-temperature properties are inadequate, the problem can
be overcome by blending with mineral diesel.