World Journal of Engineering and Technology, 2022, 10, 875-894 https://www.scirp.org/journal/wjet ISSN Online: 2331-4249 ISSN Print: 2331-4222 DOI: 10.4236/wjet.2022.104056 Nov. 28, 2022 875 World Journal of Engineering and Technology Optimization of Flow Parameters for Waste Lubricating Oil Combustion Dorcas Makworo 1 , Robert Kiplimo 2 , Meshack Hawi 3 , Bernard Owiti 3 1 Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation, Nairobi, Kenya 2 Department of Marine Engineering and Maritime Operation, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya 3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya Abstract The global energy demand has continued to skyrocket, exacerbating the al- ready severe energy problem and environmental pollution, prompting re- searchers to look for alternative energy sources. Exploration of waste lubri- cating oil (WLO) as an alternative source of fuel has gained prominence among researchers due to its availability at low cost and the potential to gen- erate energy while providing a safer means of disposal. The main challenge with WLO combustion is proper regulation of fuel and oxidizer during com- bustion to realize a near stoichiometric result. Additionally, WLO has high viscosity, hence preheating of the oil is necessary to lower the viscosity and enhance atomization, for a more efficient combustion process. This paper presents the optimization of flow parameters for combustion of WLO in a burner system by use of response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of air flow rate, injection pressure and fuel flow rate on combustion perfor- mance of a WLO burner were investigated. The highest flame temperature recorded was 1200˚C at an air flow rate of 1 m 3 /min, fuel flow rate of 0.08 m 3 /hr and injection pressure of 20 bar. Tests on physical and chemical prop- erties of WLO were conducted and characterized according to ASTM stan- dard to ascertain its potential as an alternative fuel. The calorific values of WLO from petrol and diesel engines were found to be 41.23 MJ/kg and 42.65 MJ/kg respectively. Therefore, recycling of WLO by utilizing it as a fuel for burners has double benefits of mitigating environmental pollution and har- nessing energy for process heating and power generation. Keywords Waste Lubricating Oil, Combustion, Burner, Optimization, Flame Temperature, Response Surface Methodology How to cite this paper: Makworo, D., Kiplimo, R., Hawi, M. and Owiti, B. (2022) Optimization of Flow Parameters for Waste Lubricating Oil Combustion. World Jour- nal of Engineering and Technology, 10, 875-894. https://doi.org/10.4236/wjet.2022.104056 Received: October 21, 2022 Accepted: November 25, 2022 Published: November 28, 2022 Copyright © 2022 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access