104427311 Evaluation of the Practicality of Home Biodiesel Production

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Evaluation of the practicality of home

biodiesel production

Abstract

In this report, the production of biodiesel in a domestic dwelling will be investigated. The

methods of production, economic viability and the consequences of using such a fuel are also

examined under the scope of the study. A number of journals are investigated as well the

availability of equipment and supplies necessary. Conclusions drawn indicate that biodiesel is

a sustainable energy that can be simply produced at a residential level and used for either

transport or heating, with little or no adjustments. Supplies are readily available for any

persons will to invest time and some initial capital.


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1 | P a g e

1.IntroductionSince the industrial revolution at the turn of the 19 th century, society has heavily relied on

the worlds finite amount of fossil fuels for their use. In the consumption of this fuel an

unfortunate by-product is produced; the emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

These gases can have harmful effects on human life and damaging to the environment. Even

with this damaging effect, mass consumption and heavy reliance on such fuels is

commonplace around the world.

Fossil fuel reserves are depleting at a rapid level, which leaves a potential shortcoming in

energy supply for civilisation at large. For a country with a high dependence on imported

fuels, such as Ireland, coupled with a lack of indigenous energy, the consequences of

shortages of fuel could be devastating. Without adequate alternatives, a country will be in

venerable position to inflating costs and a lack of control over its emissions. A viable

solution, which can be implemented on an individual level, can be the production and usage

of biodiesels. These can be manufactured from resources at a domestic dwelling. By

producing energy at home it is possible to move away from carbon intensive fuels

Biodiesels and biodiesel blended with conventional diesel have been used for over 100 years

as a sustainable fuel in the automotive industry. This fuel can also be used in home heating

with a domestic boiler; research into the effectiveness of this has been carried out by Macor

and Pavanello (2009) and shows similar positive economic and environmental effects. This

study will research the practicality of home biodiesel production. Research will be based on

available literature and approximate calculations determining the cost and viability of such

an endeavour.

2.Production of BiodieselsBiodiesel can be produced from a number of renewable sources. These include vegetable

oils such as rapeseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil. Animal fat and waste

cooing oil can also be used for biodiesel production. Biodiesel, also known as fatty acid


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methyl ester (FAME) is produced from transesterification of the monoalkyl esters in these

sources, with the addition of an alcohol, usually methanol. Transesterification is the reaction

between an ester of one alcohol and a second alcohol to form an ester of the second alcohol

and an alcohol from the original ester. An example of this reaction is using methyl acetate

and ethyl alcohol, to form ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol. This process is using driven by a

catalyst such as a base or acid. In biodiesel the results are a substance with characteristics

quite similar to petroleum-derived diesel, mainly in the cetane number, energy content,

viscosity and phase changes (Lin et al. 2011).

For sale there a number of standards which biodiesel must conform to, the European one

being EN 14214. These lay out a set of specific ranges in which the characteristics of the

biodiesel must adhere to, an example of which is shown in Appendix A. The methods used

in industry for production of biodiesel, to meet these standards, can be significantly different

from methods used in home production. Methods for carrying out the transesterification

reaction can include: the supercritical process, ultrasonic methods, the common batch

process and currently being researched is a microwave method. Continual high pressures

and temperature are required to maintain these catalyst-free methods. Obtaining these

pressures and temperatures in a domestic environment is not considered to be safe and thus

the recommended method of production is by the transesterification of the vegetable oil or

animal fat.

2.1 MethodologyThere are a number of steps required in order to ensure the production of safe and clean

biodiesel. The materials chosen for the chemical reactions are due to their high availability

and suitability for production needs. An overview of the steps involved is:

i.) Preparation: The procurement of a suitable bio-lipid, such as vegetable oil oranimal fallow. This may need to be filtered to remove any pieces of dirt, unwanted

material or lumps. This may take several hours due to the high viscosity of the

substance. This may need to be sampled to determine the levels of free fatty acids

(carboxylic acids) using titration.


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ii.) Reactants: The catalyst needs to be dissolved in a suitable alcohol. This basecomponent, usually sodium hydroxide, is mixed with the alcohol, usually methanol.

Additional sodium hydroxide is added for the transesterification process.

iii.) Production: The alcohol/catalyst mix is then mixed with the bio-lipid in a closedreaction vessel. The reaction mix must remain above the boiling point of alcohol to

speed up the reaction. This process may take from 1 8 hours to complete. The fuel

must be keep closed off from the atmosphere to prevent loss of alcohol.

iv.) Purification: Glycerol, which is the main constituent of any lipid, which is formedis denser than the fresh biofuel and can gravity separated. Flash evaporation or

distillation can be used to remove any excess alcohol. The fuel may also need to be

washed in warm water to remove any soap formed and other by-products of the

reactions.

A summary of the method described can be seen in Figure 2.1.


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cost of mining increases, biodiesel will become more viable than ever. The case will be

further strengthened with an increased focus on emissions and depletion of the ozone layer.

Although it may not be cost effective now, in the future when the cost of energy and oil

rises, it will become more viable. However it is also suggested that as the world population

grows, demand for food will increases and push up the price of crops which may be used for

biodiesel production. The choice between producing crops and livestock for producing

biodiesel or for producing foodstuff will not be a clear-cut one.

To run a single car may require 50 litres of biodiesel per week. To produce this requires

approximately 50 litres of waste oil (cost can vary, assumed free), 10 litres of methanol

(around 13), a small amount of catalyst (less than 10) and water. Waste oil is considered

most suitable for biodiesel production as it is the cheapest to acquire and can provide

satisfactory fuel. This can be found as waste from restaurants and takeaways. Pure vegetable

or plant oil can also be used but may cost more as it will have to be bought in bulk; this cost

approximately 24 for 20 litres (Frylite 2011). With pure vegetable this equates to around

1.66 per litre and with the use of free waste oil, 0.46. These calculations exclude the price

of once off equipment used for production.

The cost of such equipment can vary depending on whether it is prepared as a D.I.Y job or

by buying it as a kit, as shown in Figure 3.1. The kit shown costs approximately 2000

(Home Biodiesel Kits 2012) and is widely available. Building a similar model at home may

reduce this cost. Other supplies such as methanol can be bought in bulk from supplies.

Ethanol can be used but this is more expensive to purchase. The catalyst, sodium hydroxide,

can be found in a number of products as caustic soda, used for cleaning and unblocking

drains.


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effects on an engine when compared to conventional diesel, but these are considered

negligible. Regular replacement of certain parts, cleaning of deposits and regular servicing

can ensure a long life using biodiesel. Operation below certain temperatures can also prove

to be problematic, as is recorded in Xuea et al. (2011).

In certain countries there are laws in place regarding the usage of such fuel; in Ireland for

example using green diesel is illegal and subjective to heavy fining. However in England

there are a number of laws in place to try and regulate its safe and environmentally friendly

usage.

5.Discussion

It has been shown that if a suitable means of obtaining a bio-lipid, such as waste vegetable

oil or animal tallow, the production of a biodiesel can be a low carbon alterative to

conventional fuels. However it is reasonable to assume that there is a limited amount of

waste oil available to an area and not all participants can use this method. If oil prices

continue to rise, using pure vegetable oil will soon become an economically viable method.

Once in production, storage and transportation of these mixtures may also be an issue. The

equipment used and the chemicals required will take up space and may need to be isolated to

ensure safety. Disposable of the excess soap mix and glycerol should not be an issue as these

are non-toxic and water soluble.

A practical solution for a hotel, with accompanying restaurant, would be to use its own

waste oil in heating of the building. This would allow a business, with the fuel source

generated onsite, be converted and used onsite, with little effort. In using domestically

produced biodiesel for an automobile, certain adaptions may need to be made to the vehicle

to accommodate the fuel change. In particular the fuel filter may need to be changed more

frequently due to residual parts in the mixture. In an oil burner, no modifications to use are

necessary. In conjunction to an ease of use, there are a number of enhancements linked to

biodiesel and biodiesel blends.

Claims of reduced toxic and harmful emissions are noted in a number of journals, while

others dispute this. Nonetheless, biodiesel is a means of increasing diversity and security of


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energy and can be produced at an individual level. Most the necessary supplies are readily

available and there are a number of tutorials available as to how to maximise return from

homemade biodiesel.

6.ConclusionBiodiesel is a sustainable, indigenous alternative to conventional diesel; it can be produced

in a domestic environment to meet the needs of automotive and oil-burning heating

activities. In light of recent global economic hardships, cheaper alternatives to conventional

petroleum diesel should be widely welcomed to the market. Producing such fuel in a

domestic dwelling can be a relatively straightforward task with low risk if the correct

precautions are taken and hazards observed. With an initial investment and some sourcing of

materials, there should be an exceptionally short payback time and the possibility to sell

excess biodiesel for profit if the system was utilised correctly. The task of producing

biodiesel in a domestic dwelling is a straightforward and worthwhile venture.

7.Recommendations for future workFurther work may need to be carried on the on-going effects of biodiesel on the appliances

using it. There may be failure of parts before what is expected and these ought to be

exposed. There is also an opportunity for studies to be carried out on the availability of

waste oil for home production.


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Appendix A

Figure ASunflower Oil Biodiesel test (B&D 2007)

104427311 Evaluation of the Practicality of Home Biodiesel Production

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