Research on Biodiesel and Ethanol Production from Food Waste

In order to solve the pollution caused by food waste, research was carried out to test the feasibility of biodiesel and ethanol production from food waste. With separation process, waste oil and rudimental solid component of food waste were obtained. Chemical synthesis was utilized for biodiesel production with oil and fermentation was chosen for ethanol production from solid parts. The result demonstrated that biodiesel produced from waste oil were mixed fatty acid methyl esters with the main components of Octadecenoic acid methyl ester, Octadecadienoic acid methyl ester and Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester. Since they were similar to the composition to those produced with other traditional raw biodiesel materials, it demonstrated that this was a possible way to utilize waste oil. Furthermore, the solid part of food waste could produce 44 g/L ethanol under 35°C for 3 days with yeast cultured. Ethanol and biodiesel production from food waste could to a large extent save the production cost as well as solve the pollution problem.