Biodiesel Production Using Waste Cooking Oil: A Waste to Energy Conversion (W.T.E.) Strategy by Sonal Tripathi
Abstract
Energy is the most crucial element that is required for the life to exist on the planet earth. The contribution of the energy for the mankind to flourish is indispensable. With the widespread advent of urbanization and globalization the world’s population has risen at a very distressing rate. Such change has led to the obvious ramification which is the tremendous increase in energy demand to carry out various life processes. A gigantic part of this ever increasing demand is served by the energy derived from the fossil reserves. This source contributes a gargantuan sum to cater the energy needs of the mankind. However, these reserves are depleting at a very rapid pace since the exploitation of such resources have escalated drastically. It is thus estimated that a stage would arrive in the near future that will result in the rapid downfall of the availability of these reserves due to the complete exhaustion. The outbreak of the energy thirst has emphasized upon the need for an alternative option for the energy source that is technologically feasible and environmentally viable. The use of indigenous components such as biomass has paved the way for the development of biofuels. According to India’s Biofuel policy, biodiesel can be used in order to augment the fuels utilized basically for transportation. This can envisage the energy security of India by inculcating the usage of biodiesel as a fuel source. Biodiesel production can provide certain opportunities such as employment to the rural population, declination in the import and export costs and a reasonable option during energy crisis. Vegetable oils are commonly used to produce biodiesel. Utilizing such sources can have a devastating effect on the food v/s fuel security. As a mitigation measure to such impediment we can utilize the waste to produce biodiesel which is considered as the Waste-To-Energy Conversion Strategy. The waste can be the oil that is disposed after being utilized for cooking purpose that is dumped and therefore created nuisance to the environment. As a whole, utilizing used cooking oil as a raw material for producing biodiesel can be considered as a justifiable option for the curtailment of the problems arising due to the improper waste management of such oils.
