The impact of four polymeric cold flow improvers, namely, polymethyl acrylate (PMA),

ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAC), poly--olefin (PAO), and polymaleic anhydride
(HPMA) on the cold flow properties and viscosity of biodiesel from waste cooking oil was
evaluated. The viscosity indexes of neat biodiesel and biodiesel treated with cold flow improvers
were calculated. In addition, the influence of these cold flow improvers on total glycerol, flash
point, acid value, and oxidation stability was also determined. Finally, polarizing microscopy and
differential scanning calorimetry were used to investigate the low-temperature crystal
morphology and crystallization behavior of the biodiesel samples. The results indicated that
PMA was the best candidate for enhancing the low-temperature flow properties and viscosity
index of biodiesel from waste cooking oil without deteriorating other important fuel properties of
biodiesel. Upon addition of 0.04% of PMA, the pour point and cold filter plugging point of
biodiesel were reduced by 8 and 6 C, respectively. PMA essentially retarded crystal
aggregation at low temperature. It modified the crystallization behavior of the crystals by
transforming the shape of crystals and inhibiting the formation of larger crystals, which resulted
in the improvement of the biodiesel cold flow properties. The results also indicated that PMA
could be used as an effective viscosity index improver for biodiesel.