The production of fuel from, and the thermal stability of, sunflower oil, corn oil, and canola oil

Frying of sunflower, corn, and canola oils was carried out for seven running days at 175°C in this study. Fatty acid composition, free fatty acid, viscosity, iodine value, peroxide value, density, pH, saponification value, refractive index, average molecular weight, color, and the higher heating value of these oils have been analyzed. While the contents of free fatty acid, viscosity, saponification value, peroxide value, and colors (red and yellow) increase with the frying times, the contents of average molecular weight, iodine value, pH, and the higher heating value decreased for all oils in this work. However, reduction in the higher heating value is relatively low. This work indicated that recycling as a fuel of these oils can make a major economic contribution.