Sustainable biodiesel production: A comparative analysis of fuel properties from non‐edible oil and waste‐derived feedstock

Abstract

Abstract This study explores biodiesel production from four non‐edible feedstocks: palm kernel oil (PKO), beef fat (BF), used cooking oil (UCO), and African star apple seed oil (ASASO). Biodiesel samples were produced from the four feedstocks, and their fuel properties, including yield, flash‐point, oxidative stability, viscosity, density, calorific value, acid value, free fatty acid, iodine value, saponification value, and cetane number, were determined and compared with conventional diesel. The obtained data were statistically analyzed. Investigated biodiesel samples exhibited varying yields, ranging from 74% for ASASO to 92% for PKO. All biodiesel samples met key international standards (ASTM D6751) for flash point (i.e., 128–148°C), oxidative stability (i.e., 3.15–3.62 h), viscosity (i.e., 4.82–6.85 mm 2 /s), and density (i.e., 0.827–0.918 g/cm 3 ), supporting their safety and usability. However, their calorific values (i.e., 27.65–33.15 MJ/kg) were significantly lower than that of diesel (i.e., 38.11 MJ/kg). This study supports the viability of biodiesel as a sustainable diesel alternative, highlighting the importance of feedstock selection and process optimization. The findings suggest that used cooking oil and beef fat biodiesel fuels have potential as sustainable diesel alternatives, warranting further research and development. The study is limited by the small number of feedstocks, the absence of engine‐performance and emission testing, and the lack of both biodiesel diesel blend evaluation and economic or life‐cycle assessment factors that restrict direct conclusions about large‐scale or real‐world performance. These limitations highlight the need for future work incorporating broader feedstock selections, blend studies, techno‐economic, and environmental analyses for commercialization.