The depletion of world petroleum reserves and increased environmental concerns has stimulated recent interest in alternative sources for petroleum-based fuels. Biodiesel produced from vegetable oil or animal fats by transesterification with alcohol like methanol and ethanol is recommended for use as a substitute for petroleum-based diesel mainly because biodiesel is an oxygenated, renewable, biodegradable and environmentally friendly bio-fuel with similar flow and combustion properties and low emission profile. Major constituents of kitchen waste are food waste and waste fried oil. After repeatedly frying, waste fried oil is not suitable for human consumption as it is found to increase the blood cholesterol level. Everyday several litres of waste fried oil are drained being dumped untreated. High viscosity and poor volatility are the major limitations of waste fried oil for utilization as a fuel in diesel engines. Biodiesel can be produced from waste fried oil using transesterification process with KOH as catalyst. The cost of biodiesel production is found to be more economical (39.5% less) than mineral diesel. Biodiesel from waste fried oil satisfies the important fuel properties as per ASTM specification of biodiesel. By properly controlling blend, load, Compression Ratio (CR), Injection Pressure (IP) and Injection Timing (IT), performance can be improved and smoke emissions can be controlled by using a blend of alternate fuel like biodiesel from waste fried oil. Performance of engine with biodiesel blends with optimization in CR. IT and IP was at par with mineral diesel. Therefore, waste fried oil can be considered as alternative fuel to mineral oil.

Dr. Jagannath Hirkude completed his graduation in Mechanical Engineering in 1995, M.Tech in Energy Systems Engineering from IIT Bombay and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from University of Pune, India. His PhD research topic was “Investigations on Energy Conversion from Kitchen waste”. He is also certified Energy Auditor by Bureau of Energy Efficiency. He is having 19 years of teaching experience with 2 years of Industrial Experience. He is presently working as Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering Department at Goa College of Engineering, Goa, India. He has published more than 30 papers in different International conferences and International Journals. His published work is published in reputed referred Elsevier Journals like Applied Energy, Fuel, Fuel Processing Technology, Energy, Energy Procedia etc. He is also in Editorial member and reviewer of different International Journals. He is areas of Interests are Thermal Engineering, Energy Systems Engineering, Alternate fuels and Energy Management.