Assessment of biodiesel production potential and capacity analysis utilizing animal fat waste

Abstract

New Anthony's Farm, a major chicken producer in Sri Lanka, generates significant wastewater during production. This study aims to find a solution for the sludge produced in their treatment plant. Animal fats, a common waste in various industries, require expensive treatment due to environmental regulations. They mainly consist of triglycerides (90-95%), which are further made up of fatty acids like saturated (SFAs), monounsaturated (MUFAs), and polyunsaturated (PUFAs). Animal fat waste offers valuable opportunities for industrial use, but its improper disposal poses significant environmental threats. Sustainable management and utilization of this waste are crucial to protect the environment and extract valuable resources. First, an FFA (Free Fatty Acids) test was done for the top and bottom animal waste fat samples taken from the fat separation Dissolved Air Floating unit in the wastewater treatment plant in 'Anthony's Farm. The NaOH base with the Phenolphthalein indicator titration method was used for this FFA identification. After that, acid treatment was performed to reduce the FFA value of these samples, 60 0C hot water washing was done to purify the animal waste fat sample, and biodiesel was produced by transesterification. Direct transesterification was not obtained for the bottom sample, so the resulting liquid layer was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes and trans-esterified. After that, both samples were used to produce bioethanol. There, the top sample was directly used for bioethanol production without pretreatment, and bioethanol was produced using the glycerol layer of the bottom sample. The acid treatment was done with an H2SO4 Acid-to-fat ratio of 12:1, Temperature around 64°C, and pH - around 7, and it was reduced the FFA value of the top sample from 20.72% to 12.60%, and the initial FFA value of the bottom sample, which was 3.36%, was reduced to 2.80%. Considering this FFA value, the bottom sample seems to have more potential for biodiesel production. Also, the flash point of the biodiesel produced in this way was measured using the Flashpoint analyser, and it was found to be 55.5 0C.