Assessment of the Potentials of Non-Edible Oils (Waste Cooking Oil, Neem Seed Oil and Castor Seed Oil) as Sustainable Feedstocks for Sustainable Biodiesel Production

Conventionally, energy for transport and lighting is supplied via fossil fuels which are non-renewable and impact the environment negatively. As a result, the need for a clean alternative like biodiesel is essential. The cost of feedstock is a major barrier that faces biodiesel synthesis. Consequently, the search for a cost-effective oil feedstock for biodiesel production is crucial. The aim of this study was to carry out independent investigations on the suitability of waste cooking oil, neem seed oil and castor seed oil as renewable feedstocks for the production of biodiesel. To determine the values of the factors that determine their suitability, the three oils were characterized individually. The results showed that density, saponification value, acid value and free fatty acid content of waste cooking oil, neem seed oil and castor seed oil were 872.1, 900 and 905.5 kg/m3, 235.66, 190.77 and 359.10 mg KOH/g oil, 6.49, 31.86 and 33.29 mg KOH/g oil and 3.25, 15.93 and 16.65% respectively. These values were similar to those available in published literature and showed that the three oils must first undergo esterification to make them suitable for biodiesel synthesis.