Researchers at the University of Santa Cruz have developed a groundbreaking method for producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil. This straightforward process requires relatively low heat and has the potential to make alternative fuel sources more appealing to large industrial sectors.
The team utilized sodium tetramethoxyborate (NaB(OMe)4) to create an active ingredient that reacts with the oil to yield biodiesel. According to the researchers, this innovation allows for easy separation of the biodiesel from the byproducts of production through a simple pouring method.
Notably, the reaction can be completed in under one hour at temperatures as low as 40 °C (104 °F), significantly saving energy and costs. Additionally, the resulting byproduct can be repurposed to regenerate the most expensive component of the production process.
“I have always wanted to work on biodiesel. I started exploring this new material we developed to see if it could effectively break down the fats in the oil to assist in catalyzing biodiesel production,” stated Kevin Lofgren, lead author and Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Santa Cruz.
As individual consumers increasingly turn to solar and electric energy for their homes and vehicles, large industrial sectors in the U.S. still rely heavily on diesel fuel. The researchers pointed out that most trucks, trains, and boats transporting goods worldwide currently operate on diesel engines and are unlikely to be electrified soon.
Moreover, they emphasized that biodiesel, which is recognized as a carbon-neutral fuel, can power vehicles without requiring modifications to the engine.
“This new method is unique because it is simple and accessible. It has the added benefit of regenerating the initial material. The cost is already low enough to be competitive. However, if you can purchase the most expensive ingredient once and then regenerate it, that would be more economical in the long run,” added Lofgren.
The study, published in the American Chemical Society's journal Energy & Fuels, demonstrates a process capable of producing biodiesel at temperatures lower than those required for boiling water.
Scott Oliver, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and co-author of the study, remarked that energy is essential for everyone—every farm, food production facility, and transportation vehicle depends on it.
“This can have a significant impact on people. This process can be executed at slightly elevated room temperatures and can be reused. There is no need for a refinery; you could potentially use this method on a farm,” he stated.