Used Cooking Oil (UCO) typically refers to vegetable oils or animal fats used in frying, cooking, or baking that have been used and are no longer fit for consumption. It is collected from restaurants, fast-food chains, snack bars, and domestic households. This raw material can be used to form a viable source for 2nd generation renewable fuels and sustainability.
UCO is often converted into biodiesel through a process called transesterification. This involves reacting the fat or oil with an alcohol (usually methanol) in the presence of a catalyst.
Biodiesel from UCO generally has a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional fossil fuels. Its carbon intensity score is 21.7 gCO2e/MJ versus the 95 gCO2e/MJ from fossil diesel, according to GWP, Council of the European Union. Further, this also indicate that it can also significantly reduce GHG emissions. The lifecycle emissions are lower, as the carbon dioxide released during combustion is roughly equivalent to the CO2 absorbed during the plants’ growth.
In conclusion, the use of UCO in biodiesel production represents an important intersection of sustainability, waste management, renewable energy, and environmental protection.