Academic Research International Vol. 5(4) July 2014           Copyright © 2014 SAVAP International ISSN: 2223-9944, e ISSN: 2223-9553 www.savap.org.pk 60 www.journals.savap.org.pk Heterogeneous Catalytic Modified Process in the Production of Biodiesel from Sunflower Oil, Waste Cooking Oil and Olive Oil by Transesterification Method KambizTahvildari 1 , Hamid Reza Chitsaz 2 , Paria Mozaffarinia 3 Islamic Azad University, Tehran-North Branch, IRAN. K_tahvildari@iau-tnb.ac.ir ABSTRACT Using transesterifiction of sunflower oil, olive oil and waste cooking oil with methanol and heterogeneous catalyst made by clinoptilolite, biodiesel was obtained. With molar ratio of alcohol to oil 1:7 and mentioned catalyst (3 wt%), yield of biodiesel from sunflower oil, cooking waste oil and olive oil were: 97%, 95% & 92% respectively. SEM images showed the average particle sizeof 342.44 nm. FTIR spectrum showedno impurity in produced biodiesel. The products were compared to the consuming Petro-dieselin Tehran according ASTM standard cloud point, pour point, freezing point, cetane number, iodine value, saponification number, heating value, acid value, viscosity, density andflash point. Keywords: Biodiesel, transesterifiction, clinoptilolite, waste cooking oil, sunflower oil, olive oil INTRODUCTION Biodiesel has attracted much attention because it is biodegradable, renewable, and is non- toxic (importantly when fuels leak into the environment). The fuel is free of sulfur and aromatics, while petro-diesel fuel may contain 500 ppm sulfur dioxide and 20-40wt% aromatics [1-5]. Recent studies showed that applying biodiesel may reduce various cancers and toxic aerosols by 95% and 90% respectively, which resulted in improved environmental condition [6 ,7]. More than 350 different oilseeds already have been found throughout the world that have the potential to produce biodiesel[8]. In general, the main sources are classified into four categories as below [9,10]: 1- Animal fats: chicken fat and lard 2- Edible vegetable oil: sunflower, soybean, olive and coconut 3- Inedible vegetable oil: Jatrophacurcas, Calophylluminophyllum, Moringaoleifera and Croton megalocarpus 4- Waste cooking oil and recycled oil Biodiesel can be used in any mixture with petro-diesel fuel, as it has very similar characteristics (cetane number, viscosity, heating value, etc)[11,12]and also in any diesel engine without modification [13,14]. Biodiesel density affects engine fuel injection system. Lower fuel density and viscosity will lead to more improved atomization and mixing characteristics. Higher density cause increased particulateemission and NOx. Low density indicates decreased saturated hydrocarbon chain. The viscosity of the fuel depends on its structure and decreases by increasing double bonds. Biodiesel freezing point will increase by