College of Engineering Organizes aSpecialized Training Course to Convert Waste Oils into Eco-Friendly Detergents
The College of Engineering at Samarra University organized a specialized training course titled “Converting Waste Oils into Effective, Low-Cost Detergents.” The course was presented by Assistant Professor Dr. Zainab Abdul Majeed Khalaf, a faculty member in the Department of Electromechanical Engineering, and Assistant Lecturer Sahar Adnan Ahmed, a faculty member at the College of Engineering, Tikrit University.
The organizers aimed to highlight how to invest in used oils—particularly cooking oils—and transform them from environmental pollutants that threaten soil, water, and sewage systems into high-value, economical cleaning products through simplified chemical processes.
For her part, Dr. Khalaf reviewed the theoretical aspect of the course, which included the scientific foundations of the saponification process. She analyzed the chemical reaction between triglycerides and alkaline substances to produce soap and glycerin according to precise equations and strict quality standards. This was presented alongside an explanation of the practical production path, which includes oil filtration, thermal control, and adjusting mixing ratios, leading to the final testing stage to ensure texture quality and safe pH levels
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The course was not limited to theory; it featured a direct practical application where Assistant Lecturer Sahar Adnan Ahmed demonstrated the conversion of oils into detergents in front of the attendees. This practical approach enabled participants to clearly understand the manufacturing mechanism.
The course concluded by emphasizing the strategic dimensions of oil recycling as a pillar of the circular economy. It highlighted its ability to create job opportunities and low-cost home projects, in addition to its fundamental role in protecting water resources and enhancing community awareness by transforming waste into sustainable economic products capable of competing with commercial alternatives.
