PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOLUBRICANT FROM WASTE COOKING OIL

Abstract

The growing environmental concerns associated with petroleum-based lubricants have driven research toward sustainable alternatives such as bio lubricants derived from renewable sources. This study focuses on the production and characterization of bio lubricant synthesized from waste cooking oil (WCO) using the transesterification process. The WCO was collected from local food outlets and pre-treated to remove impurities and moisture. Transesterification was conducted in two stages: first, producing methyl ester using methanol and potassium hydroxide as a catalyst, and second, synthesizing a polyol ester bio lubricant using trimethylolpropane (TMP). The resulting product was characterized for its physicochemical properties, including acid value, viscosity, flash point, and saponification value. The bio lubricant yielded 90.05% with an acid value of 2.24 mgKOH/g, viscosity of 58 mm²/s at 40°C, flash point of 132°C, and saponification value of 45.6 mgKOH/g. These results are within ASTM standard ranges, confirming that the bio lubricant possesses desirable lubricating properties comparable to conventional mineral oils. Hence, WCO-derived bio lubricant represents a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and economically viable alternative to petroleum-based lubricants