Educational Innovation in Sustainable Engineering: Performance and Economic Analysis of Waste Cooking Oil-Fueled Crucible Furnaces for Aluminum Melting

Suwattanarwong  Phanphet; Athiwat  Wangmai; Surapong  Bangpha; Phiraphan  Bangphan; Paipan Thanalerdsopit

Authors

Suwattanarwong Phanphet Department of Industrial Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University
Athiwat Wangmai Department of Industrial Education and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University
Surapong Bangpha Department of Industrial Education and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna
Phiraphan Bangphan Department of Industrial Education and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna
Paipan Thanalerdsopit Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Business and Liberal Arts, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4635-0079

Keywords:

Waste Cooking Oil, Aluminum Melting, Crucible Furnace, Sustainable Engineering Education, Cost Efficiency, Circular Economy

Abstract

This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing waste cooking oil (WCO) as an alternative fuel for aluminum melting in a small-scale crucible furnace, with integration into sustainable engineering education. An experimental design was employed to evaluate thermal performance, fuel efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. The results indicate that WCO can reach a maximum temperature of 900°C within 20 minutes, comparable to that of a WCO–diesel mixture (850°C). Furthermore, WCO demonstrated a 5.13% improvement in fuel efficiency and a reduction in fuel costs of approximately 70%.

The findings confirm that WCO is a viable and cost-effective alternative fuel that supports circular economy principles and sustainable engineering practices. In addition, the developed system demonstrates potential as a practical learning tool for experiential learning in sustainable engineering education, thereby contributing to educational innovation.

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