Journal of Energy Engineering and Thermodynamics ISSN 2815-0945 Vol: 04, No. 06, Oct-Nov 2024 https://journal.hmjournals.com/index.php/JEET DOI: https://doi.org/10.55529/jeet.46.1.8 Copyright The Author(s) 2024.This is an Open Access Article distributed under the CC BY license. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 1 Evaluating Biodiesel Properties from Waste Cooking Oil for Sustainable Energy Applications Usman Rufai Fakai 1* , Adamu Zubairu Utono 2 , Muhammad Nuraddeen Bui 3* 1* Department of Chemistry Education, Adamu Augie College of Education Argungu, Nigeria. 2 National Hydroelectric power Producing Areas Development Commission, Nigeria. 3 Department of Chemistry Education, Adamu Augie College of Education Argungu, Nigeria. Email: 2 adamju.au@gmail.com, 3 nurabui@yahoo.com Corresponding Email: 1* rufaifakai@aacoeargungu.edu.ng . Received: 16 June 2024 Accepted: 01September 2024 Published: 18 October 2024 Abstract: Biodiesel was synthesized from used vegetable oils collected from local restaurants in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, using a base-catalyzed transesterification process with methanol and potassium methoxide as the catalyst. The physicochemical properties of the produced biodiesel, such as density, kinematic viscosity, flash point, pour point, cetane number, and calorific value, were evaluated and compared against conventional diesel fuels and biodiesel from other sources like Jatropha, Neem, and Castor oils. Gas chromatography (GC) was used to analyze the fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) composition, identifying methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, methyl palmitate, and methyl stearate as the primary components. The produced biodiesel exhibited favourable properties, including a cetane number and flash point within recommended ASTM standards, indicating efficient ignition and safe storage characteristics. Additionally, the calorific value and kinematic viscosity of the biodiesel were found to be comparable to conventional diesel, making it a viable blend for diesel engine applications. Keywords: Biodiesel Production, Fatty Acid Methyl Esters, Renewable Energy, Transesterification, Waste Cooking Oil. 1. INTRODUCTION The increasing concerns about environmental pollution, the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, and the pressing need for energy security have intensified the global search for sustainable and renewable energy sources. Biodiesel has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional petroleum diesel due to its renewable nature and reduced environmental impact. Derived from biological materials, biodiesel offers several advantages over fossil fuels, including its biodegradability, non-toxicity, and the emission of lower levels of greenhouse gases (Demirbas, 2009), (Balat & Balat, 2010). Biodiesel can be produced from a variety of