Trap grease has been a nuisance to the municipal system for years due to its fat, oil and grease (FOG) content. Over 47% of sewer line blockages are caused by trap grease accumulation and its management is ineffective and costly. However, the FOG in the trap grease can be a good source for biodiesel production, which is a win-win solution for both environmental protection and biodiesel industry, particularly for the latter. Using trap grease as the feedstock significantly reduces the cost for the biodiesel producers and more importantly, improves the sustainability of biodiesel production by switching from oil crops (e.g. soybean oil) to waste materials and hence minimizing water and land footprints. This study mainly focuses on the investigation of in-situ conversion process for trap grease. In detail, in-situ conversion is performed by direct transesterification of FOG in the trap grease with methanol under the catalysis of H2SO4 and the presence of a co-solvent. Parameters, such as catalyst dosage, methanol-to-oil volume ratio, temperature, duration and co-solvent ratio, are evaluated at different levels. The individual and interactive effects of these parameters are assessed and an optimum condition is proposed. In addition, other potential technologies for utilizing trap grease for biodiesel production are examined. Comparison is made between the in-situ approach and other technologies and effectiveness of the each individual technology is quantified in terms of biodiesel yield and fuel quality.

Conversion of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) in the trap grease into biodiesel

246th National Meeting (2013)

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