Strategic economic and energy analysis of integrated biodiesel production from waste cooking oil

Abstract

The utilization of waste cooking oil to produce biodiesel is critical for advancing towards carbon neutrality. This study examines the production of first- and second-generation biodiesel from waste cooking oil, highlighting the transition from first-generation biodiesel, which achieved high purity and yield, to second-generation biodiesel through a hydrodeoxygenation-hydroisomerisation process. The first-generation process demonstrated high efficiency, with a biodiesel purity of 97.8 wt% and a yield of 99.88 wt%. However, the need for more sustainable and higher-quality fuel led to the development of a second-generation process, which, despite lower yield (69.06 wt%), produced biodiesel with 99.99 wt% purity. The energy optimization strategies employed showed a potential of 18.92% energy saving for reducing production costs and enhancing economic feasibility. This research underscores the importance of improving energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness in biodiesel production, particularly in transitioning from first- to second-generation biodiesel, which is crucial for meeting environmental and economic goals.