Analysis of the use of waste cooking oil as an alternative fuel

This paper analyzes the use of used cooking oil as a sustainable alternative for biodiesel production, highlighting its potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental problems. Used cooking oil, abundant and inexpensive, offers a solution for waste management by aligning with the principles of the circular economy. Through methods such as transesterification, biodiesel derived from used cooking oil shows advantages such as biodegradability and lower greenhouse gas emissions, although it presents challenges such as high viscosity and nitrogen oxide emissions. The study reviews research that employs additives and advanced technologies to improve biodiesel properties and engine performance. Strategies such as blending with other fuels and incorporating nanoparticles have been shown to optimize thermal efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions. Despite its limitations, biodiesel from used cooking oil represents a technically and environmentally viable alternative, especially if support policies and improvements in its production are implemented. Used cooking oil is a promising feedstock for moving towards a sustainable energy transition, with significant benefits in waste management and reduction of the environmental footprint