Combined Effect of Propyl Gallate and Tert-Butyl Hydroquinone on Biodiesel and Biolubricant Based on Waste Cooking Oil

Abstract

The current energy scenario requires the use of alternatives for petrol-based products. In this context, the role of biodiesel and biolubricants can be promising, offering multiple advantages but also some challenges like their low oxidation stability. The use of antioxidants can offset this disadvantage, improving the general performance of these products during storage or usage. The aim of this work was to assess the combined and separate use of two different antioxidants (propyl gallate, PG, and tert-butylhydroquinone, TBHQ) on biodiesel and biolubricant based on waste cooking oil (WCO), carrying out a thorough characterization of these products and quantification of antioxidants through voltammetry techniques. Thus, the innovation of this work consists in the use of combined antioxidants and its simultaneous quality assessment and quantification. As a result, the combined use of antioxidants did not offer a synergistic effect, and the use of PG at low concentrations (300 ppm) is recommended in the case of WCO biolubricant. Voltammetry was a suitable and fast method to quantify both PG and TBHQ.