Process Simulation and Design for Biodiesel Production Plant from Waste Cooking Oil

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2025

Abstract

This paper evaluates the design of waste cooking oil (WCO) derived from biodiesel plant of industrial scale based on the technical and economic feasibility through a twofold method namely: process simulation and plant design. Aspen HYSYS V10 was used to simulate a steady state of transesterification process in the presence of a catalyst using sulfuric acid. The approach included schematic process flow diagram, thorough plant design phase which entailed Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) study, plant layout, site selection, etc., and the economic analysis. The simulation was managed to attain the high biodiesel yield of 97% conversion of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and the mass flow of 1006 kg/hr in the product line. This outcome is in agreement with what has been obtained in recent literature on other catalyzed transesterification reactions. The economic analysis validated that the project could be conducted within its financial stability, and the fixed capital investment within the entire project added as much as $8,448,760, and an expected net profit of $2,726,000 as a yearly profit. This gives a good Return on Investment (ROI) of 32.3% and a quick payback of 3 years due to operation and thus the final plant design presented is not only technically sound, safe but also economically viable. This study illustrates the existence of a solid and viable route towards valorization of WCOs, which helps to solve the issue of additional and renewable energy supplies and lends a hand to waste management and the sustainability of the environment.

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