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

The Alternative
2

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

Biodiesel Background

Four main production methods

Transesterification

Direct use and blending Micro emulsions Thermal cracking 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

Technological Challenges

Expensive feed stocks and inefficient production methods Strict standards for product quality NOx emissions Transportation and storage concerns

Storage

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.
Test Method Cloud Point ASTM D2 500
oF oC

Pour Point ASTM D97

Cold Filter Plug Point IP 309

B100 Fuel Soy Methyl Ester Canola Methyl Ester Lard Methyl Ester Edible Tallow Methyl Ester Inedible Tallow Methyl Ester Yellow Grease 1 Methyl Ester

oF

oC

oF

oC

38 26 56 66 61 --

3 -3 13 19 16 --

25 25 55 60 59 48

-4 -4 13 16 15 9

28 24 52 58 50 52

-2 -4 11 14 10 11

Yellow Grease 2 Methyl Ester

46

43

34

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

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

Biodiesel Economics

There is ample room for improvement in the efficiency of processing biodiesel

Development of a continuous transesterification process

Recovery of high quality glycerol

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

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

Sources
1)

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/demand.html

2)
3)

http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/
http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/ 40555.pdf

4)
5) 6)

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/analysispaper/biodi esel/pdf/tbl3.pdf
http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/ 40555.pdf http://www.pilot-plant.com/images/reactivedistillation-heterogeneous.jpg

Questions?