Utilization of waste transformer oil for alternative fuel: Design of combustion system model, economic feasibility, and performance test

Abstract

The utilization of waste transformer oil (WTO) for combustion applications can offer significant potential to generate thermal energy and reduce industrial waste disposal. This study focuses on the development of a burner system designed to utilize WTO as an alternative fuel blended with 30% biodiesel and 70% diesel (B30) to produce thermal energy for various applications in industrial processes. Moreover, the economic feasibility and performance test were explored to provide an overview of the economically designed burner system and inform that WTO blended with B30 is suitable for an environmentally friendly alternative fuel. The development combustor consists of a vertical metal tube cylinder supplied with pressurized air from a blower. Secondary air flow was also provided at the tip of the burner for complete combustion of the fuel. Various test scenarios were conducted to optimize combustion and emission performance. The combustion temperature of the fuel was measured at the tip of the burner, while the emissions gases were recorded at 150 cm above the burner tip. Based on the experimental results, it is shown that the developed burner system can effectively burn the WTO blended B30 to produce thermal with low emissions gases. The maximum combustion temperature reached by the burner is 979°C, achieved with a combustion mixture consisting of 30%:70% WTO/B30 (v/v). The economic feasibility of the developed burner system was very useful and inexpensive to be developed at household or industrial scales and emissions from the combustion process are relatively low, with no significant environmental or health risks. Future studies may explore different fuel blends, system improvements, and broader industrial applications.