Students lighting lamps using biofuel derived from used cooking oil during the World Biofuel Day at TNAU, Coimbatore.
Refining of glycerol, a by-product obtained after conversion of leftover cooking oil into biodiesel, for cosmetic applications is on the agenda of researchers in the Department of Renewable Energy Engineering (DREE), Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore.
Through transesterification process, leftover cooking oil is being converted into biodiesel with over 90% viscosity vis-a-vis petroleum diesel, but the value of glycerol derived in the crude form has not been tapped.
The glycerol has to be refined for removal of residues. The process warrants extensive research. “We will be working on the processes for purification of glycerol,” D. Ramesh, Head, DREE, said.
Availability of leftover cooking oil for biofuel conversion, though meagre, has improved in the wake of the Food Safety Department keeping a close watch on the inventories of major restaurants to prevent re-use, he said.
The quality of biodiesel derived from leftover cooking oil is superior compared with the product sourced from non-edible oil.
Flanked by P. Rajkumar, Institute Dean, students of the department, on Tuesday, he demonstrated the utility of the biodiesel for lighting lamps, during the course of celebration of World Biofuel Day.
Published – August 13, 2026 01:27 am IST
