Author: Jun Ariolo Aguirre (304 Articles)

KALIBO, Aklan – Researchers at the Aklan State University (ASU) in Banga have developed means to efficiently dispose used animal fat and vegetable oil as diesel additives.

ASU President Dr. Benny Palma said the research conducted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) showed that the petroleum diesel blend can be used in a standard combustion engine without modification.

The research was presented in the recent Western Visayas Agriculture and Resource Research and Development Consortium.

“Our study shows that these wastes (animal fat and vegetable oil) produce a clear liquid without an unpleasant smell and with the same properties as mineral fossil diesel oil,” Palma said.

ASU researchers want to find out if their discovery could achieve the status of biofuels. At least 20 percent of biofuel is needed to augment the 80 percent requirement of petroleum in compliance with the Biodiesel Act.

The 20-80 mixture is part of the government’s goal of implementing the Clean Air Act which focuses on lesser smoke emissions and lower engine noise.

The oil and fat tested came from the grease wastes of meat-processing plants and food servers here and in Boracay.

The research also showed that animal fat and vegetable oil have similar density, viscosity, ph, cloud point and freezing point.

Aside from the DOST, the Department of Agriculture is also supporting the research.