From Waste Oil to Clean Heat

Field Work

Addressing the dual challenges of waste management and clean energy access, Ahmad Sahkrieh, AGYA alumnus, spent three months May – August 2025 at the Department of Renewable Energy, School of Engineering, Applied Science Private University in Amman, Jordan, developing innovative solutions for sustainable heating. His research focused on converting waste cooking oil into nanomaterial-enhanced biodiesel as a cleaner alternative to kerosene heaters, which are widely used in underserved regions despite their harmful emissions. Through this interdisciplinary approach, Ahmad Sahkrieh sought to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world application, engaging diverse stakeholders to ensure his findings could make a meaningful impact.

How does your research contribute to the goal of cleaner fuel technologies?

Ahmad Sakhrieh: The project advances cleaner fuel technologies using a two-pronged strategy. First, it examines emissions from conventional kerosene stoves and introduces real-time air quality monitoring systems equipped with CO sensors for indoor pollution risk detection and mitigation. This allows for the integration of safety-oriented alarm systems that trigger immediate responses to dangerous emission levels. 

Additionally, the project explores alternative fuel options by experimentally testing biodiesel blends and enhancing their performance with nanotechnology-based additives. The additives optimize combustion efficiency and minimize toxic emissions like carbon monoxide. The nanomaterials are used for their role as a fuel additive catalyst, facilitating combustion through a reduction of activation energy, enhancement of heat transfer, and providing oxygen due to their extensive reactive surface area. 

By combining predictive monitoring systems with experimental validation of biofuel and nanoparticle-augmented fuels, the project presents a comprehensive solution toward safer, cleaner, and more sustainable domestic energy solutions.

What was most challenging about your project?

Ahmad Sakhrieh: The most challenging aspect of the research was the optimization of biodiesel and nanoparticle additive use in traditional kerosene stoves. Although biodiesel burns more cleanly than kerosene, it can cause combustion instability in stoves not designed for alternative fuels.

Adding nanoparticles introduced an additional complication, since their dispersion, concentration, and interaction with the fuel directly affected combustion characteristics and emissions profiles. Ensuring repeatability of fuel preparation, control of combustion conditions, and precise measurements of emission reduction—especially for carbon monoxide—demanded rigorous experimental design and comprehensive troubleshooting.

The nanoparticle zinc oxide turned out to enable the fuel to combust more efficiently, thus minimizing such unwanted products like CO, unburnt hydrocarbons, and soot. They further stabilize the flame, reduce ignition delay, and enhance thermal efficiency, resulting in extensive energy release per unit fuel with less emissions.

Did you engage in interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary encounters during your research stay?

Ahmad Sakhrieh: Yes, the project fostered significant interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary cooperation. Cooperation with fuel and nanotechnology specialists was essential for the preparation of stable mixtures and the assessment of their effect on combustion efficiency and emission profiles. In addition, the conceptual design of a CO alarm and predictive monitoring system included expertise in electronics, and embedded systems (Arduino/Raspberry Pi), spanning engineering and digital health safety. The research was also presented at the 1st Climate Change and Health in the Arab Region (CCHAR) conference, which offered a useful forum to discuss the work with public health practitioners, environmental scientists, policy makers, and industry representatives. This interdisciplinary environment assisted in placing the research in the wider framework of climate resilience and indoor air pollution, emphasizing the health consequences of domestic energy consumption and the requirement for cleaner, safer combustion devices in affected populations.