Post on 07-May-2015
description
Biodiesel Production and Research
Daniel Geller – UGA Engineering Outreach
http://www.engr.uga.edu/service/outreach
FATS and OILS +
ALCOHOL
catalystBIODIESEL
+ GLYCEROL
Biodiesel Production
Biodiesel – an established technology
• Studied since 1980s – solved issue of oil viscosity reduction in oils.
• Established production methods and standardization ASTM D 6751 (2001).
Biodiesel Advantages
• Increased Lubricity enhances ULSD• Higher Cetane Number than ULSD• Significant particulate matter and emission
reductions from ULSD– No Sulfur In Biodiesel– Biodiesel is non-toxic– Biodiesel is biodegradable– Drastically reduced
carcinogenic emissions
Biodiesel Advantages
• Renewable
• Domestically Sourced
• Domestically Produced
• ENERGY SECURITY
Biodiesel Compatibility
• Uses existing diesel refueling infrastructure
• Biodiesel can be used with most existing vehicles without modification in blends or at 100%
• Biodiesel is interchangeable with diesel fuel – can use biodiesel one day and petroleum the next
Biodiesel Considerations
• Biodiesel solvent properties cleans fuel system = replacement of fuel filters
• Cold Filter Plug Point is higher in B100 – mixing with D2 compensatesfor elevated geltemperature
Preparing for BiodieselMaterials Compatibility
• Biodiesel is NOT compatible with natural rubber• Make sure your hoses and seals are made of
synthetic rubber (Viton, Teflon etc). Most modern vehicles do not use natural rubber. Older vehicles beware!
Preparing for BiodieselStorage
• Biodiesel is a powerful solvent. Tanks need to be clean before storing Biodiesel or the fuel will take the deposits with it into your engine
• Tanks must also be dry: water = microbes
Quality Control – The ASTM Specification
ASTM D6751 – 03a Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock (B100) for Middle Distillate Fuels
Membership in the National Biodiesel Board required for sale of Biodiesel in US. Failure to comply = $25,000/day fine from EPA
NBB enforces standard with quality checks. Failure to conform results in loss of membership
Biodiesel – Retail Availability• 30 million gallons (2004)• 75 million gallons (2005)• 250 million gallons (2006) estimated• Currently available at 300+ stations (http://www.biodiesel.org).
Biodiesel – Distribution• 10 distributors in GA
Biodiesel – Production
Biodiesel – GA Production
1 Major Producer: US Biofuels, Rome
FATS and OILS +
ALCOHOL
catalystBIODIESEL
+ GLYCEROL
Biodiesel Production
Simple to make Difficult to make right - Biodiesel is made by the transesterification of vegetable oils
C R1
+ 3MeOH
C
C
C
OH
OH
OH
Me
Me
Me
+
Triglyceride(fats and oils)
Methanol(alcohol)
GlycerolMethyl Ester (Biodiesel)
KOH
O CO
C R2O CO
C R3O CO
R1O CO
R2O CO
R3O CO
Biodiesel Production
Tank 1 mix alcohol and
catalyst
Simple to make, difficult to make right
Biodiesel Production
Tank 1 mix alcohol and
catalyst
Tank 2 add tank 1
mixture to oil. Mix and heat
Simple to make, difficult to make right
Biodiesel Production
Tank 1 mix alcohol and
catalyst
Tank 2 add tank 1
mixture to oil. Mix and heat
Allow tank to settle, decant
bottom glycerol layer
Simple to make, difficult to make right
Biodiesel Production
Tank 1 mix alcohol and
catalyst
Tank 2 add tank 1
mixture to oil. Mix and heat
Allow tank to settle, decant
bottom glycerol layer
Tank 3 wash with water
settle, decant bottom water layer - repeat
Simple to make, difficult to make right
Biodiesel Production
Tank 1 mix alcohol and
catalyst
Tank 2 add tank 1
mixture to oil. Mix and heat
Allow tank to settle, decant
bottom glycerol layer
Tank 3 wash with water
settle, decant bottom water layer - repeat
Simple to make, difficult to make right
How Much?
How Much?How Hot?How Fast?
How Long?
How Long?
Reversible?
SOAP?
How Many Times?
Centrifuge?
Adsorbent?
Biodiesel Challenges
1. Feedstock Availability and Price
2. Quality Control - Meeting Spec.
3. Glycerol Byproduct Utilization
Tax Incentives and Pricing
• US Federal Tax Credit of $1.00/gal for virgin oils, $.50/gal for used oils
• Biodiesel must be blended with petroleum diesel to receive credit
•Credit goes to the blender
Tax Incentives and Pricing
• Biodiesel pricing is linked to feedstock cost
• Feedstock can be 75 - 85% of fuel cost
• Biodiesel pricing is also linked to petroleum costs
• Biodiesel must compete with petrodiesel to be viable
Feedstock Shortage and Price Volatility
• Limited supply of Biodiesel feedstocks in the US. Most oils are used in foods and have associated high price
• Fats and Oils as well as fuels are commodities and thus have volatile prices.
Traditional Biodiesel Feedstocks
The most common form of Biodiesel is that made by the transesterification of vegetable oils
In the US, soybeans provide the most common feedstock
In Europe, rapeseed provides the most common feedstock
Traditional Biodiesel Feedstocks
The most common form of Biodiesel is that made by the transesterification of vegetable oils
Soy Oil Price Volatility
Data from: Chicago Board of Trade (http://www.cbot.com/cbot/pub/page/1,3181,1272+chart,00.html?symb=BO&month=1!)
US Petroleum Consumption vs. Possible Oilseed Oil Production317.81
63.85
5.14 0.29
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350B
illi
on
Gal
lon
s p
er Y
ear
PetroleumConsumption
DieselConsumption
Possible SoybeanOil Production
Possible PeanutOil Production
Data from: USDA (http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/reports/nassr/field/pcp-bban/cropan05.txt) DOE - Energy Information Administration (http://www.eia.doe.gov)
Other Possible Feedstocks
Tropical:
• Palm
• Jatropha
Emerging:
• Sunflower
• Mustard
• Camelina
Southeast:
• Poultry Fat
• Peanuts
• Cottonseed Oil
Unique:
• Cupeha
• Castor
High Output GA Feedstock - Peanuts
Advantages: High Oil Yield ~50-60%
Soy is only ~18% oil Established GA Crop
Obstacles: High Value Commodity Shelling and sorting is
costly process
Inexpensive GA Feedstock – Poultry Fat
Advantages: Abundant commodity in GA Historically low market
price
Obstacles: High Free Fatty Acids Increased Processing High demand = price rise +
scarcity
Tropical Feedstocks – Palm, Jatropha
Advantages:• HIGH YIELD• LOW PRICES
Obstacles:• Poor cold flow properties• Minimal Domestic
Production• Must import from other
countries?
Emerging Feedstocks – Sunflower, Mustard, Camelina
Advantages:• Low Input• Good Domestic
Agronomics
Obstacles:• Production Limited• No Historical Data• Unreliable Economics
Newly Available SE Feedstock – Cottonseed Oil
Advantages:• Recent changes in
market = pricing?• Established SE Crop
Obstacles:• Variable Quality• Chemical issues
• Polymers• Cold flow
University of Georgia Biodiesel Research
•Over 20 years of Biodiesel research at UGA
University of Georgia Biodiesel Research
•Over 20 years of Biodiesel research at UGA
•Bench scale production and testing of fuel properties
Small Scale Reactor
• 15 gallon reactor
• Sight glass w/ 3 way valve for product separation
• Electric Agitator provides continuous stirring
• 3-10 gallon batches
Fuel Properties Analyses
University of Georgia Biodiesel Research
•Over 20 years of Biodiesel research at UGA
•Bench scale production and analysis of fuel properties
•Small scale production and engine testing laboratory
Engine Testing Facility
Cold-Start Ignition
Engines are equipped with dual-fuel system, fuel feed is switched from diesel to test fuel during starting sequence
Engine Loading – Power, Durability, Efficiency
Engines are loaded by dumping current from generator into resistor bank. Increased resistance = increased power outputPeterson Test leads to accelerated engine wear
Emissions Testing
Real-Time analysis of CO, CO2, SOx, NOx, and Combustibles
University of Georgia Biodiesel Research
•Over 20 years of Biodiesel research at UGA
•Bench scale production and analysis of fuel properties
•Small scale production and engine testing laboratory
• GA Feedstock Selection