BiodieselBiodiesel

With Justin LillyWith Justin Lilly

What is Biodiesel?What is Biodiesel?

A diesel-equivalent biofuel made from renewable A diesel-equivalent biofuel made from renewable materialsmaterials

Made from vegetable oils or animal fatsMade from vegetable oils or animal fats

Several types of fuels are called biodiesel: Several types of fuels are called biodiesel: usually “biodiesel” refers to an ester, or an usually “biodiesel” refers to an ester, or an oxygenate, made from the oil and methanoloxygenate, made from the oil and methanol

Biodiesel FactsBiodiesel Facts

Biodiesel is less toxic than table Biodiesel is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as salt and biodegrades as quickly as sugarquickly as sugar

Biodiesel works in modern diesel Biodiesel works in modern diesel engines without modificationsengines without modifications

The flashpoint is 160 CentigradeThe flashpoint is 160 Centigrade

Biodiesel can be distributed Biodiesel can be distributed using today’s infrastructureusing today’s infrastructure

Why BiodieselWhy Biodiesel

Reduces Emissions of CO by ~50% and COReduces Emissions of CO by ~50% and CO22 by ~78% by ~78%

No Sulfur emissions, fewer Aromatic hydrocarbonsNo Sulfur emissions, fewer Aromatic hydrocarbons

Reduces emission of particulates by ~65%Reduces emission of particulates by ~65%

Higher cetane rating than petrodieselHigher cetane rating than petrodiesel

It is biodegradableIt is biodegradable

It is the only alternative fuel to have successfully completed the It is the only alternative fuel to have successfully completed the Health Effects Testing requirements of the Clean Air Act (1990)Health Effects Testing requirements of the Clean Air Act (1990)

Crop-Biodiesel EfficiencyCrop-Biodiesel Efficiency

To be renewable, To be renewable, plants must be plants must be considered due to considered due to their use of their use of photosynthesis. photosynthesis. Different plants Different plants produce oil at produce oil at different annual different annual rates:rates:

SoybeansSoybeans 40-50 40-50 gal/acregal/acre

RapeseedRapeseed 110-145 110-145 gal/acregal/acre

MustardMustard 140 gal/acre140 gal/acre

JatrophaJatropha 175 gal/acre175 gal/acre

Palm OilPalm Oil 650 gal/acre650 gal/acre

AlgaeAlgae 10,000-10,000-20,000 20,000 gal/acregal/acre

Data: http://www.journeytoforever.org/Algae data: www.eere.energy.gov

How is Biodiesel Made?How is Biodiesel Made?

Transesterification:Transesterification:

How is Biodiesel Made?How is Biodiesel Made?

There are a number of base oils that can be used to There are a number of base oils that can be used to make biodiesel: soybeans, rapeseed, mustard, palm make biodiesel: soybeans, rapeseed, mustard, palm oil, hemp, Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO), animal fats, oil, hemp, Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO), animal fats, and algaeand algae

Chemical process requires only heating of oil to a Chemical process requires only heating of oil to a designated temperature then addition of a catalyst and designated temperature then addition of a catalyst and alcohol. These chemicals are mixed then allowed to alcohol. These chemicals are mixed then allowed to settle. Next is to separate and wash the biodieselsettle. Next is to separate and wash the biodiesel

It takes anywhere from a couple of days to a week It takes anywhere from a couple of days to a week depending on batch size (usually biodiesel is made in depending on batch size (usually biodiesel is made in batches between 20 and 100 gallons)batches between 20 and 100 gallons)

Making Your Own Making Your Own Biodiesel:Biodiesel:

Equipment:Equipment:To make biodiesel requires To make biodiesel requires

nothing more than a 2 liter nothing more than a 2 liter soda bottlesoda bottle

Large batches can use Large batches can use elaborate processors with elaborate processors with separate tanks.separate tanks.

Most homebrewers use Most homebrewers use premade processing kits premade processing kits which range in price from which range in price from $500 to thousands of $500 to thousands of dollarsdollars

http://www.biodieselgear.com/equipment/index.htm

Making Your Own Making Your Own Biodiesel:Biodiesel:

Making Your Own Making Your Own BiodieselBiodiesel

Making Your Own Making Your Own BiodieselBiodiesel

Biodiesel and PurdueBiodiesel and Purdue

Purdue: the Purdue Purdue: the Purdue Agricultural Center Agricultural Center grows soy beans to grows soy beans to make the biodiesel make the biodiesel needed to fuel all of needed to fuel all of Purdue’s diesel Purdue’s diesel engine vehicles and engine vehicles and all the equipment all the equipment needed to farm it.needed to farm it.

Biodiesel and the USBiodiesel and the US

Biodiesel is available in most states that produce oilseed.Biodiesel is available in most states that produce oilseed.

In 2004, almost 30 mil. Gallons of commercially produced biodiesel In 2004, almost 30 mil. Gallons of commercially produced biodiesel were sold in the US (less than 0.1 million sold in 1998).were sold in the US (less than 0.1 million sold in 1998).

By 2010, this market is expected to grow to 1 to 2 billion gallons.By 2010, this market is expected to grow to 1 to 2 billion gallons.

In 1997, biodiesel was $3.50 per gallon. In 2002, it was $1.85 per In 1997, biodiesel was $3.50 per gallon. In 2002, it was $1.85 per gallon (current diesel prices rest around $2.40 per gallon)gallon (current diesel prices rest around $2.40 per gallon)

Willie Nelson sells 20% biodiesel blends through a company called Willie Nelson sells 20% biodiesel blends through a company called BioWillie (by 2005 it was available at 13 gas stations and truck BioWillie (by 2005 it was available at 13 gas stations and truck stops)stops)

Biodiesel and the USBiodiesel and the US

OverviewOverview

Biodiesel is much more environment Biodiesel is much more environment friendly than petrodiesel.friendly than petrodiesel.

Biodiesel is easy to make on an industrial Biodiesel is easy to make on an industrial scale and on a minor scale.scale and on a minor scale.

There could be enough plant oils made to There could be enough plant oils made to support the world’s use of energy.support the world’s use of energy.

ReferencesReferences

http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/biodiesel.htmlbiodiesel.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodieselhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodieselhttp://www.biodieselcommunity.org/http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/

gettingstarted/gettingstarted/http://biofuelsystems.com/index.htmlhttp://biofuelsystems.com/index.htmlhttp://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/

agricultures/spring2005/spotlight1.htmagricultures/spring2005/spotlight1.htm