Low-cost alternative biodiesel production apparatus based on household food blender for continuous biodiesel production for small communities

Abstract Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) are sustainable biofuel that can alleviate high oil costs and environmental impacts of petroleum-based fuel. A modified 1200 W high-efficiency food blender was employed for continuous transesterification various refined vegetable oils waste cooking (WCO) using sodium hydroxide as a homogeneous catalyst. The following factors have been investigated on their effects FAME yield: baffles, reaction volume, total reactant flow rate, methanol-oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration temperature. Results indicated the optimal conditions were: 2000 mL 50 mL/min 1% 1.25% palm WCO, respectively, 6:1 methanol-to-oil ratio 62–63 °C, obtaining yield efficiency over 96.5% 21.14 × 10 –4 g/J (for oil) 19.39 WCO). All properties produced FAMEs meet EN 14214 ASTM D6751 standards. household could be practical low-cost alternative biodiesel production apparatus small communities in remote areas.