Optimization of biodiesel production from blends of waste cooking oil, animal fat, and castor seed oil for sustainable renewable energy development in Thailand

Phewphong Sunti; Roschat Wuttichai; Khotsuno Noppharat; Janlakorn Chaiwat; Leelatam Tappagorn; Maneerat Bunterm; Thammayod Aekkaphon; Tawil Sumana; Moonsin Preecha; Suwannarong Prawit; Yoosuk Boonyawan; Janetaisong Pathompong; Promarak Vinich

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Optimization of biodiesel production from blends of waste cooking oil, animal fat, and castor seed oil for sustainable renewable energy development in Thailand

Updated：2026-05-14

- Optimization of biodiesel production from blends of waste cooking oil, animal fat, and castor seed oil for sustainable renewable energy development in Thailand
- Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol. 90, Issue 2, Pages: 1-17(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  Biomass Energy Research Laboratory, Center of Excellence on Alternative Energy, Research and Development Institution, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, Mueang District, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
  Innovation in Chemistry for Community Research Unit, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, Mueang District, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
  Program of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, Mueang District, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
  Appropriated Technology Center, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, Mueang District, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
  Program of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University, Mueang District, Ubon Ratchathani 34000, Thailand
  Program of Environment Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, Mueang District, Sakon Nakhon 47000, Thailand
  National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC), 114 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
  Department of Material Science and Engineering, School of Molecular Science & Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology, Wangchan, Rayong 21210, Thailand
- Author bio：
  
  Corresponding author. E-mail address: roschat1@gmail.com (W. Roschat).
- Funds：
- DOI：
  CLC：
- Received：18 February 2025，
  
  Revised：2025-09-01，
  
  Accepted：21 October 2025，
  
  Online First：06 November 2025，
  
  Published：2026-02
- Accepted：
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Phewphong Sunti, Roschat Wuttichai, Khotsuno Noppharat, et al. Optimization of biodiesel production from blends of waste cooking oil, animal fat, and castor seed oil for sustainable renewable energy development in Thailand[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2026, 90(2): 1-17.
DOI：

Phewphong Sunti, Roschat Wuttichai, Khotsuno Noppharat, et al. Optimization of biodiesel production from blends of waste cooking oil, animal fat, and castor seed oil for sustainable renewable energy development in Thailand[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2026, 90(2): 1-17. DOI：

摘要

Abstract

The increasing global emphasis on sustainable energy has highlighted the need for alternative biofuels

particularly in agricultural countries like Thailand. However

challenges remain in utilizing nonedible and waste-based feedstocks due to poor fuel properties and limited conversion efficiency. This study addresses these gaps by exploring the potential of underutilized and low-cost feedstocks—castor seed oil (CSO)

waste cooking oil (WCO)

and animal fat (ANF)—to produce high-quality biodiesel. The novelty of this work lies in optimizing ternary blends of these diverse feedstocks to overcome individual limitations

especially the high viscosity of CSO caused by its high ricinoleic acid content (89.26%). CSO was extracted using hexane maceration

yielding 50.07% ±1.28% (mass) oil. Various WCO:ANF:CSO ratios were investigated to improve fuel properties

and their chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics were analyzed using GC

H-NMR

and FT-IR techniques

. Two optimized blends—50:40:10 and 50:30:20—achieved significantly reduced viscosities (4.31 and 4.90 cSt

1 cSt =1mm

·s

-1

)

meeting ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards. These blends also exhibited high methyl ester content(＞96.5%)

good oxidative stability

and favorable coldflow properties (pour and cloud points as low as -4℃). To evaluate reaction efficiency

transesterification kinetics were modeled using pseudo-first-order assumptions. The ternary blend containing higher ANF content showed an enhanced reaction rate constant of 8.94×10

-1

indicating improved conversion efficiency. Engine performance tests using agricultural diesel engines demonstrated comparable power output to conventional diesel

while emissions of CO

and NO

were significantly reduced. Furthermore

performance of the biodiesel blends was similar to commercial B10 and B20 fuels. In summary

this study presents an innovative approach to biodiesel production by combining CSO

WCO

and ANF in optimal ratios to yield a renewable

cost-effective

and environmentally friendly fuel.

关键词

Keywords

references

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