Abstract
Sustainability of our natural resources are of rising concern as fossil fuels, such as natural gas, are being exhausted at an exceedingly fast rate as the demand for energy continues to grow yearly. Biodiesel was made from cooking oil and compared to commercial petroleum, and results were analyzed using a diesel generator coupled with a diesel engine located at Sacramento State University. A load bank was connected to the generator to apply different loading conditions. The parameters studied were feedstock type applied at different resistance loads and fuel consumption of the two fuels tested in a specific time period. The two feedstocks that were used was petroleum diesel and canola oil that was chemically modified and reacted into pure biodiesel. The results of this project indicated that there is potential in using modified cooking oil in diesel engines for transportation purposes, producing energy for electricity, and agricultural uses which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide energy security, and help replace the extensive use of fossil fuels.