Cold-rolled sludge (CRS) has become a challenge due to
its large
volumetric capacity and high toxicity and is difficult to be degraded
under natural conditions. This article aims to explore the feasibility
of the solvent extraction method for recovering oil and fat from CRS
and utilizing it as a raw material to prepare biodiesel with the application
of a homogeneous catalyst H2SO4 to mediate esterification
and transesterification. The formation mechanism of CRS was proposed
with its detailed analysis; hydroxylates were preferentially adsorbed
on the metal surface by hydrogen bonds, and free fatty acids were
hooked by carbon chains to form a second layer of adsorption. It revealed
the reason for the residual oil content on the surface of the extracted
solid phase. Experimental data represented an optimum biodiesel yield
of 96.5% at a catalyst dosage of 25 wt %, a reaction time of 24 h,
a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 70:1, and a reaction temperature
of 60 °C. The main properties of the biodiesel were tested and
confirmed to meet ASTM D6751 standards.