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Biodiesel Production: Terminology & Formulation

Biodiesel Production: Terminology & Formulation. Barry Latham, M.A.Ed. Biodiesel Production & Curriculum Chemistry & Physics Instructor Chicago Heights, Illinois. Terminology. Biodiesel- fuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats

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Biodiesel Production: Terminology & Formulation

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  1. Biodiesel Production: Terminology & Formulation Barry Latham, M.A.Ed. Biodiesel Production & Curriculum Chemistry & Physics Instructor Chicago Heights, Illinois

  2. Terminology • Biodiesel- fuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats • Transesterification (vegetable oils)- the process of exchanging an alkoxy group of an ester compound with another alcohol • Saponification (animal fats)- the hydrolysis of an ester under basic conditions to form an alcohol and the salt of the carboxylic acid • Alcohol- any carbon chain which includes an –OH group • Methanol (MeOH) or Ethanol (EtOH)

  3. Terminology • Catalyst- a substance that is used in a chemical reaction, but not consumed • Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) • Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) • FAME- Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (<1 g/mL) • Biodiesel • B100- 100% biodiesel • B20- 20% biodiesel, 80% traditional diesel • Glycerin- co-product of biodiesel (~1.173 g/mL) • Can be made into liquid (KOH) or bar (NaOH) soap

  4. Catalyst Choice • Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) • Most used by homebrewers • Dissolves faster as flakes than NaOH pellets • Glycerin produced can be easily made into liquid soap • Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) • Typically causes more complications with soap formation • Used more in the industry • Glycerin produced can be easily made into bar soap • Sodium Methacrylate (H2C=C(CH3)CONa) • More effective catalyst • All have a high pH (caustic) • All are dangerous- can burn skin, eyes, respiratory system

  5. Alcohol Choice • Methanol (MeOH) • Shortest-chain alcohol • Most used by both homebrewers and in the industry • Biological effects similar to consuming ethanol, but more severe • Can cause nervous system failure, blindness if ingested or absorbed through the skin or breathed in great quantities • Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) • 2-carbon chain alcohol • More restrictions on purchasing, storage and use • Higher rate of complications in reaction • Can cause inebriation • Both highly flammable and must be respected • Store only as much as you need in a safe area • Obey local fire codes

  6. Safety Issues • Methanol • Flammable • Can be absorbed through the skin • Can cause blindness and death • Potassium Hydroxide • Burns • Do not allow to touch your skin • Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) • Operate in a well-ventilated area • Wear safety goggles • Protective gloves • Do not directly inhale any vapors • Tie lose hair back • Wear closed toe shoes and long pants

  7. FAME Reaction“Fatty Acid Methyl Ester”

  8. Incomplete Reactions

  9. 16%BOOST Method100L, 16% MeOH, 2-Stage Process • Perform titration • Our oil titrates at 0.44 (August 28, 2008, 34 trials) • 0.45 (March 27, 2009, 5 trials) • Add 89% of KOH needed into 16L MeOH • Mix thoroughly (will mix overnight) • Add 14L of mixture to heated oil (55°C) • Circulate for 1 hr. and settle overnight • Add remaining KOH to remaining KOH/MeOH • Drain glycerin and add remaining KOH/MeOH mixture • Circulate for 3 hr. and settle overnight • Drain glycerin

  10. 80/20 Method100L, 18% MeOH, 2-Stage Process • Perform titration • Our oil titrates at 0.44 (August 28, 2008, 34 trials) • Add all KOH needed into 18L MeOH • Mix thoroughly (will mix overnight) • Add 14.4L of mixture to heated oil (55°C) • Circulate for 1 hr. and settle overnight • Drain glycerin and add remaining KOH/MeOH mixture • Circulate for 3 hr. and settle overnight • Drain glycerin

  11. 22% Method100L, 22% MeOH, Single-Stage Process • Perform titration • Our oil titrates at 0.44 (August 28, 2008, 34 trials) • Add all KOH needed into 22L MeOH • Mix thoroughly (will mix overnight) • Add all of the mixture to heated oil (55°C) • Circulate for 3 hr. and settle overnight • Drain glycerin

  12. “Dr. Pepper” Method (Small Scale)Single-Stage Process • Is typically used before a large batch • Results indicate how well the method will work on this specific oil • Must be done in the lab, not at oil collection site • Takes 12-24 hours for results • Performed in plastic pop bottle • MeOH will start to eat plastic after 24-36 hours

  13. Methods Summary • %MeOH needs to be at least 13% • More MeOH ensure greater completion of reaction • Too much can be wasteful, though • Circulation times can vary • 1-3 hours per batch seems to work for most • Batch sizes of 100L used for simplicity in calculations (scaling up or down)

  14. Glycerin Removal • Drain the bottom layer of glycerin • Dr. Pepper Method • Invert pop bottle and gently squeeze while using your thumb as a valve • It is better to overflow and lose some biodiesel, than to leave some glycerin in your biodiesel

  15. Biodiesel Use Cautions • Biodiesel as an excellent solvent • All natural rubber will eventually be dissolved • Use Viton, or other synthetic rubber hoses, seals and gaskets • Breaks down petroleum “grit” that builds up over time in the combustion chamber • Grit is dissolved by biodiesel and can clog fuel and exhaust filters • Starting with a lower % of biodiesel slows this process • Can increase % over time while replacing rubber material and filters

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