Geller Gep 2007

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


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


Tank 1 mix alcohol and

catalyst

Simple to make, difficult to make right



catalyst

Tank 2 add tank 1

mixture to oil. Mix and heat




catalyst

Tank 2 add tank 1


Allow tank to settle, decant

bottom glycerol layer




catalyst

Tank 2 add tank 1




Tank 3 wash with water

settle, decant bottom water layer - repeat




catalyst

Tank 2 add tank 1




Tank 3 wash with water

settle, decant bottom water layer - repeat


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



•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



•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



•Bench scale production and analysis of fuel properties

•Small scale production and engine testing laboratory

• GA Feedstock Selection

Geller Gep 2007

Education

Transcript of Geller Gep 2007