Purification of biodiesel using activated carbons produced from spent tea waste

Abstract

Waste cooking oil was converted into biodiesel through base catalyzed transesterification. After separating the glycerol, the crude methyl esters were purified using activated carbons produced from spent tea waste. Yield and fuel properties of the produced biodiesels were compared with those purified by using silica gel and conventional method namely water washing method. The study revealed that using activated carbons for the purification of biodiesel resulted in higher yield and better fuel properties compared to those purified using silica gel and water washing method. Furthermore, the spent activated carbon was regenerated and reused for the same purpose. However, the results showed that the yield and fuel properties of those purified using the regenerated activated carbon were also better than those purified using silica gel and water washing method.