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Biodiesel Production

Biodiesel Production. Austin Pett Robert York. Transportation Energy Demand. Total delivered energy consumption for transportation was 27.8 quadrillion Btu in 2004 This accounted for over 25% of the entire U.S. energy consumption Projected to reach 39.7 quadrillion Btu in 2030. 1.

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Biodiesel Production

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  1. Biodiesel Production Austin Pett Robert York

  2. Transportation Energy Demand • Total delivered energy consumption for transportation was 27.8 quadrillion Btu in 2004 • This accounted for over 25% of the entire U.S. energy consumption • Projected to reach 39.7 quadrillion Btu in 2030 1

  3. The Alternative • Biodiesel is a cleaner burning replacement fuel made from renewable sources like new and used vegetable oils and animal fats • Low-level blends (≤20% biodiesel) can be used in almost any existing diesel engine • High-level blends (>20% can be used in most new diesel engines 2

  4. Four main production methods Direct use and blending Micro emulsions Thermal cracking Transesterification Transesterification Most common production method Uses vegetable oils and animal fats as feed stocks The reaction of a fat or oil with an alcohol to form esters (biodiesel) and glycerol Biodiesel Background

  5. Technological Challenges • Expensive feed stocks and inefficient production methods • Strict standards for product quality • NOx emissions • Transportation and storage concerns 3

  6. Biodiesel should be stored 5-10 degrees F above cloud point. Above ground fuel systems should be protected with insulation, agitation, heating systems, or other measure. Storage 5

  7. Transportation • Should not be contaminated • Trucks or railcars should be washed from previous load to prevent mixing with leftover residuals or water. • In cold weather can be shipped in several ways • Hot for immediate delivery (80-130 F) • Hot (120-130 F) in railcars for delivery within 7-8 days • Frozen in railcars equipped with steam coils • Blended with winter diesel, kerosene or other low cloud point fuel

  8. Biodiesel Economics • 60-70% of the cost to process biodiesel is from feed stock costs • Yellow Grease has a limited supply • Soybean and other plant oils have long term price issues 4

  9. There is ample room for improvement in the efficiency of processing biodiesel Development of a continuous transesterification process Recovery of high quality glycerol Biodiesel Economics 6

  10. Government Policy • Energy Policy Act (Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998) • Reduce nations dependency on foreign oil • Requires certain fleets to acquire AFVs • Credits rewarded for acquisition of AFVs and biodiesel • Biodiesel Tax Incentive • Several grant programs • Tax credits for blending biodiesel • Investment opportunities in certain refueling infrastructure

  11. The Future of Biodiesel • Should be considered for use as an alternative and not a primary fuel • Short and long term environmental benefits will be worthwhile • Storage Issues with Stability and Transportation issues with high cost of delivered fuel compared to fossil fuels • Fuel-supply reliability • Lack of understanding of environmental impact - NOx emissions • Complexity of biomass-power infrastructure compared to known well established coal and natural gas markets

  12. Sources • http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/demand.html • http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/ • http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/40555.pdf • http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/analysispaper/biodiesel/pdf/tbl3.pdf • http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/40555.pdf • http://www.pilot-plant.com/images/reactive-distillation-heterogeneous.jpg

  13. Questions?

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