WS₂ as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel Production from Brown Grease

The recent global energy crisis and the instability of the oil market have prompted scientists to explore innovative ways to produce alternative energy sources such as biodiesel. Current chemical processes for converting waste into biodiesel use catalyst-promoted conventional heating, ultrasonication, and magnetron-irradiated electromagnetic microwave irradiation, although developing more efficient, ecologically friendly methods remains challenging. The main goal of this research was to develop a novel, rapid, and efficient method for biodiesel production from waste cooking fats and oils (brown grease), using gyrotron-generated electromagnetic radiation. To achieve this goal, we investigated the effects of gyrotron radiation parameters, the heterogeneous catalyst WS₂, and the ratio of the reacting components on the efficiency of biodiesel production. Brown grease and its components, such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, triolein, and their mixtures, were explored as a source for biodiesel production. We selected promising conditions to develop a technological process for biodiesel production. As a result of our study, novel gyrotron-activated methods for biodiesel production using heterogeneous catalysts have been developed, and the production parameters have been improved.