This study aids understanding of various aspects of energy conversion, including losses due to irreversibilities in the system, ecological footprint, long-term feasibility, and financial factors, and provides a holistic framework for assessing kitchen waste biodiesel (KWBD) as an alternative to
petro-diesel fuels. For this purpose, experiments were conducted on a constant-speed diesel engine under varying loads, and energy analysis revealed that, at 75% load, KWBD achieved a brake thermal efficiency of 32.22%, similar to that of diesel fuel. observed fuel consumption is
higher for KWBD than for diesel fuel, due to KWBD’s higher viscosity and density. The exergy results identified the different losses KWBD at 75% and 100% load and their associated improvements. Similarly, the environmental and sustainability metrics indicate total CO₂-equivalent
emissions of 4.665 tons/year, a social carbon cost of $821/year, and a sustainability index of 2.16, thereby highlighting better resource utilization and a lower environmental impact. In addition, economic analysis reveals promising indicators: a specific capital cost of $372/kW, a present
worth factor of 8.974, a net cash flow of $542/year, a net present value of $4112, an internal rate of return of 65.6% per year, and a payback period of 1.667 years. These results highlight KWBD’s viability as a sustainable alternative fuel, offering both environmental and economic benefits.
When key energy, exergy, environmental, sustainability, and economic parameters are integrated and their impact on neat waste oil biodiesel is assessed, the engine data stand alone as significant contributors to the development of clean-burning fuels.