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Biodiesel Basics for the Beginner

Biodiesel Basics for the Beginner. Chelsea Jenkins and Al Christopher Virginia Clean Cities Hampton Roads Clean Cities Coalition Biodiesel Public Education Forum May 30, 2007 Hollins University. Overview. Brief overview what is Clean Cities? Biodiesel Basics Advantages/disadvantages

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Biodiesel Basics for the Beginner

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  1. Biodiesel Basics for the Beginner Chelsea Jenkins and Al Christopher Virginia Clean Cities Hampton Roads Clean Cities Coalition Biodiesel Public Education Forum May 30, 2007 Hollins University

  2. Overview • Brief overview what is Clean Cities? • Biodiesel Basics • Advantages/disadvantages • WVO, SVO, homebrew, commercial, ASTM • Users, availability

  3. Energy InSecurity THE U.S. IMPORTS OVER ONE-HALF OF ITS PETROLEUM TRANSPORTATION PETROLEUM USE – 67% OF OVERALL USE TRANSPORTATION IS 97% DEPENDENT ON PETROLEUM Source: EIA AEO 2006

  4. Clean Cities • National US DoE voluntary program to promote energy independence in transportation • 80 Coalitions nationwide • One designated Coalition in Virginia (Hampton Roads) • Statewide effort ongoing • DoE Website: • http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/ • Virginia Clean Cities: • http://www.hrccc.org

  5. Biofuels • Fossil Fuel: a hydrocarbon fuel, such as petroleum, derived from living matter of a previous geologic time. • Coal, Oil, Natural Gas • Biofuel: Any fuel that derives from biomass – recently living organisms or their metabolic byproducts • Biodiesel, Ethanol • Primary drivers behind introducing biofuels include: • Reduce dependency on fossil-fuels • Reduce GHG emissions (reduce impact on health, environment) • Improve energy security • Contribute to rural development through domestic production

  6. What is Biodiesel 1. Mono-alkyl esters of fatty acids (i.e. methyl or ethyl esters) 2. A diesel replacement fuel produced from vegetable oils, animal fats, recycled cooking grease • Biodiesel Blend: mixture of biodiesel and petroleum diesel • BXX = volume XX% biodiesel • Most common blends are B5, B20 • Physical properties very similar to conventional diesel • Must meet the quality requirements of ASTM D6751

  7. Biodiesel is NOT unrefined vegetable oil or used cooking oil What Is Not Biodiesel?

  8. SVO/WVO Vegetable oil can be used in diesel engine Much more viscous Doesn’t burn the same Many studies have found SVO can lead to engine carbon deposits, reducing engine life or increasing maintenance costs Successful SVO use is documented, but use requires considerable modifications to diesel equipment SVO has strong following Elsbett single and double tank SVO fuel systems from Germany Single tank system seems to get best reviews: The kit includes modified injector nozzles, stronger glow plugs, dual fuel heating, temperature controls and parallel fuel filters. ANTICIPATE PROBLEMS AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CONVERSION What Is Not Biodiesel?

  9. “Waste Oil” Similar to confusion between biodiesel and WVO Referred to as used motor oil or waste engine oil Used oil can be re-refined into base stock for lubricting oil If you recycle 2 gals of used oil, it can generate enough electricity to run average household for almost 24 hours (API, http://www.recycleoil.org/) Waste motor oil furnaces (UL listed, EPA approved) www.cleanburn.com What Is Not Biodiesel?

  10. Biodiesel • Advantages: • It’s Easy: Transparent to end-user, easy to implement • LDV/HDV, marine, underground mining • No increased vehicle equipment cost • Minimal infrastructure impact (blending, storage, availability, vehicles)

  11. pumpkin seed algae coconut hemp mustard seed rapeseed avocado coffee jatropha oats safflower brazil nuts coriander jojoba oil palm sesame calendula corn (maize) kenaf olives soybean cashew nut cotton linseed (flax) opium poppy sunflowers castor beans euphorbia lupine peanuts cocoa (cacao) hazelnuts macadamia nuts pecan nuts Biodiesel • Advantages: • It’s Domestic (or can be): MADE IN USA • It Can Stimulate Local Economies andSupport Farmers • value added product, supports rural economies, protects farmland from development pressures

  12. Biodiesel • Advantages: • It’s Renewable, Biodegradable, & Nontoxic • It’s Efficient: Very favorable energy balance, ~3.2 to 1 (debatable, but most find more efficient than petroleum) • It’s Engine Friendly: Superior engine performance • High flash point: 260°F v 117°F • Lubricity properties • Higher cetane rating

  13. DIESEL BIODIESEL Biodiesel • Advantages: • It’s Healthier: Lower emissions (Example: DDC Series 50), US DoA, US DoE • Carbon monoxide: 38% lower • Unburned HC: 83% lower • Oxides of Nitrogen: still debated • Particulates: 49% lower • Smoke and odor are much better • PAH, nPAH, & air toxics lower • It Contributes less to Greenhouse Gases • “Closed carbon cycle” – in theory • Still petroleum involved in agriculture process and transportation, so not entirely “closed”

  14. Biodiesel • Disadvantages: • Increased price relative to diesel • Petroleum displacement potential of B20 relatively limited • Beginning of industry growth has caused some commodity price increases that are limiting

  15. Biodiesel • Disadvantages: • Cold handling and storage of B100 • soybean based biodiesel start to crystallize at 0C • Oxidative stability • old fuel can become acidic and form sediments and varnish • Excellent solvent • filter clogging during transition from petrol diesel • replace natural rubber components • Supply

  16. Making biodiesel • The beauty of biodiesel is it can be made on any scale, and by any despite level of chemical processing experience • For a great video tutorial on how biodiesel can be made from many feedstocks, check out the JMU biodiesel conference website for 2006, “view webcast” at top, and forward to “How Biodiesel is Made” by Chris Bachmann: http://www.cisat.jmu.edu/biodiesel/conference2006.html • Or visit the Collaborative Biodiesel Tutorial: http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/howitsmade/ (includes recipes for beginners with pictures and detailed instructions) • Make sure you understand the health and safety risks involved!!!

  17. Homebrew vs Commercial Production Biodieselgear 60 FuelMeister

  18. Homebrew vs Commercial Production JMU Processor I “Appleseed” (w/ standpipe wash tank) www.biodieselcommunity.org

  19. Homebrew vs Commercial MN Biodiesel Plants Source: http://www.mnsoy.com/biodiesel_pricing.htm Source: www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jan06/389013.asp

  20. Homebrew vs Commercial – Quality • Industry organization that defines the consensus on fuels is the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) • ASTM fuel standards are the minimum accepted values for properties of the fuel to provide adequate customer satisfaction and/or protection. • Dec 2001 -- ASTM approved the full standard for biodiesel, with the new designation of D-6751. Standard covers pure biodiesel (B100), for blending with petrodiesel in levels up to 20% by volume. Higher levels on case-by-case basis. • http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/fuelfactsheets/standards_and_warranties.shtm

  21. Homebrew vs Commercial • No matter how it’s made (backyard or in commercial plant), out-of-spec biodiesel can result • NREL/NBB fuel quality testing project found at least one-third of commercial biodiesel samples pulled between November 2005 and July 2006 were out of spec for incomplete processing • Many homebrewers/small scale coops are making high quality biodiesel all over the US, and some are struggling as well • QC testing can be $1700 for full ASTM slate tests, and labs are ~$30,000 to install, and out of reach for many homebrewers • QUALITY IS IMPORTANT, SO ENSURE YOU ARE BUYING ASTM QUALITY FUEL OR IF PRODUCING FOR SALE THAT IT MEETS ASTM SPECS

  22. Biodiesel production & use has grown dramatically NBB estimates 75 million gallons in 2005 Current production capacity is more than 290 million annual gallons More than 570 million annual gallons under construction or planned Current U.S. avg. rack price $3.20/gal (vs. $2.40 for No. 2 diesel) Prices pre-tax, pre-tax credit Who Uses Biodiesel? Who’s using it? U.S. Postal Service U.S. DoD, DoE, and DoA Countless school districts, transit authorities, national parks, public utility companies, and garbage and recycling companies Credit: Robert McCormick, NREL

  23. Commercial Biodiesel Production Plants Source: National Biodiesel Board

  24. Biodiesel retail locations Source: National Biodiesel Board (Retailers and Distributors map) http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/guide/default.shtm

  25. Market Development in Virginia – B20 Fleets VALLEY PROTEINS 2004 Fleets US NAVY Portsmouth Yorktown Westmoreland Schools 2005 Fleets 2006 Fleets

  26. Industry Analyses • MORE INFORMATION • National Biodiesel Board: www.biodiesel.org • Virginia Clean Cities: www.hrccc.org • US Department of Energy Clean Cities: http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/blends/biodiesel.html • Iowa State University’s Biomass Energy Conversion Center (BECON): Biodiesel Short Course - • http://www.me.iastate.edu/biodiesel/Pages/biodiesel1.html • RESOURCE CD: Included as part of workshop series

  27. Hampton Roads Virginia Contact Information www.hrccc.org Al Christopher 804-436-3867 al.christopher@hrccc.org www.hrccc.org Chelsea Jenkins 757-256-8528 cjenkins@hrccc.org

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