Performance of the Reaction to Obtain Biodiesel, from used Domestic Oils, using Microwaves as a Heat Source
Abstract:
The main objective of this research work is to evaluate the performance of the reaction to obtain biodiesel from used domestic oils, as a function of time and catalyst, using microwaves as a heat source. A biodiesel was obtained that conforms to the technical considerations of National and International Standards; with 92% yield, 12.62 cetane index, peroxide index of 0.3667, 102.63 iodine index, 3.65 mm2/s viscosity and a calorific value of 90 390 KJ/Kg. This work can serve as a model for the development of new biodiesel fuels that are interested in contributing to mitigate the environmental impact. It stresses the importance of producing an environmentally friendly fuel, mainly using an input with no commercial value, such as discarded domestic oil. In this context, there is the other contribution of this thesis, the ostensible reduction of the biodiesel production time, which normally takes two hours on average, with microwave activation, is obtained in minutes. The novelty of this work consists in using a statistical method to indicate, in a theoretical way, values where we can start the research. Thus, the Two-Level Factorial Design is used, obtaining two theoretical values: the microwave exposure time and the percentage of the catalyst. The experimental values were close to these statistical values obtained and indicated in this Thesis. This was of vital importance in the achievement of the proposed objectives.
