Design of an emission reduction system for electricity generators with biodiesel from waste cooking oil

Waste cooked oil, containing fat and grease, is widely available at pubs, cafes, canteens and restaurant and has a large influence on the environment. When they are disposed of down kitchen sinks or drains, they cause blockages in the sewage pipes; when they enter rainwater pipes or gullies, they cause pollution in streams and rivers. In particular, in the City of Bradford, many residents are from Asian countries and many restaurants are located in the area. In this culture, many oils are used in their cooking.

Water companies have spent a lot of money to clear sewage pipes. In order to reduce the effects of waste cooking oil on the environment and the sewage pipes, our local water company is planning to use waste cooking oil to generate electricity for local communities. But burning waste-cooking oil will introduce some emission issues, and Bradford Council requires that this should satisfy the emission requirements and environmental regulations.

The main aim is to carry out research towards the design of an emission reduction system, that can be connected to an electricity generator which is operated with biodiesel from waste cooking oil.

Specific research objectives include:

• Study of the emissions of burning cooking oil or biodiesel from waste cooking oil, from a literature review or some necessary experiments;
• Design of an emission reduction system
• Optimisation of designs by using optimisation techniques
• Validate studies for the design

This interdisciplinary research will be carried out in the Automotive Research Centre, Chemical Engineering Research Group and in partnership with our industrial collaborators.

Applications and expressions of interest are invited from prospective researchers with background in engineering (mechanical, chemical).