Vegetable oil or other fats can be used in the creation of diesel engine-safe biofuel through the process of transesterification: a reaction with methanol where caustic soda is used as a catalyst.

Transesterification converts A (methyl alcohol) and B (vegetable oil) into C (glycerin) and D (biodiesel) (Image: B. Dodson) The process of making biodiesel is called transesterification.

But in recent months, the idea of using vegetable oil as a feedstock has gained more traction. In the UK, politicians are proposing the use of vegetable oil for heating in rural areas.

Researchers also claimed that transesterification reactions were successful using inexpensive, abundant waste cooking oil from a major fast-food chain, as well as soybean oil, corn oil, olive oil, and ...

The production of biodiesel fuel involves oil-based plant feedstock containing triglycerides, such as seed oil and soybean. The process necessitates the transesterification of triglycerides with ...