Biodiesel: Basics of Production and Issues

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Biodiesel Basics of Production and Issues

• Dennis Buffington
• Penn State University
• Agricultural Biological Engineering Department
• November 15, 2007

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Alternative Energy Sources
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BIOMASS
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Energy in Agriculture
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Agricultural Crops
Food Feed for Animals Feedstocks for
Processing Farm-a-ceuticals Fuel
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Oil Conversion (Transesterification)
Biodiesel
Vegetable Oil
Vehicle Conversion
Straight Vegetable Oil
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Home-Grown Energy...
Biodiesel
Soybean Seeds
Methyl Alcohol
2 Diesel Fuel
Water
Catalyst
Raw Soybean Oil
Refined Oil
Biodiesel
Separator
Crusher- Press
Splash Blender
Reactor
Scrubber
Waste Water
Glycerin for Soaps, Shampoos, Cosmetics
Soybean Meal for Animal Feed
B20 Fuel
Biodiesel Benefits

• Reduce dependency on imported petroleum
• Improve the environment and public health
• Increase our domestic rural economy
• Increase lubricity for engine
• Promote homeland security
• Pay less for energy

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Home-Grown Energy...
Biodiesel
Soybean Seeds
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Home-Grown Energy...
Biodiesel
Soybean Seeds
Raw Soybean Oil
Crusher- Press
Soybean Meal for Animal Feed
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Home-Grown Energy...
Biodiesel
Soybean Seeds
Methyl Alcohol
Catalyst
Raw Soybean Oil
Crusher- Press
Reactor
Soybean Meal for Animal Feed
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Home-Grown Energy...
Biodiesel
Soybean Seeds
Methyl Alcohol
Catalyst
Raw Soybean Oil
Refined Oil
Separator
Crusher- Press
Reactor
Glycerin for Soaps, Shampoos, Cosmetics
Soybean Meal for Animal Feed
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Home-Grown Energy...
Biodiesel
Soybean Seeds
Methyl Alcohol
Water
Catalyst
Raw Soybean Oil
Refined Oil
Biodiesel
Separator
Crusher- Press
Reactor
Scrubber
Waste Water
Glycerin for Soaps, Shampoos, Cosmetics
Soybean Meal for Animal Feed
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Home-Grown Energy...
Biodiesel
Soybean Seeds
Methyl Alcohol
2 Diesel Fuel
Water
Catalyst
Raw Soybean Oil
Refined Oil
Biodiesel
Separator
Crusher- Press
Splash Blender
Reactor
Scrubber
Waste Water
Glycerin for Soaps, Shampoos, Cosmetics
Soybean Meal for Animal Feed
B20 Fuel
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Home-Grown Energy...
Biodiesel
Soybean Seeds
Methyl Alcohol
2 Diesel Fuel
Water
Catalyst
Raw Soybean Oil
Refined Oil
Biodiesel
Separator
Crusher- Press
Splash Blender
Reactor
Scrubber
Waste Water
Glycerin for Soaps, Shampoos, Cosmetics
Soybean Meal for Animal Feed
B20 Fuel
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Home-Grown Energy...
Biodiesel
Soybean Seeds
Methyl Alcohol
2 Diesel Fuel
Water
Catalyst
Raw Soybean Oil
Refined Oil
Biodiesel
Separator
Crusher- Press
Splash Blender
Reactor
Scrubber
Waste Water
Glycerin for Soaps, Shampoos, Cosmetics
Soybean Meal for Animal Feed
B20 Fuel
Transesterification of Soybean Oil
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Domestic Energy Resource Biodiesel

• Reduce dependency on imported fuel
• Improve environment and public health
• Increase our domestic rural economy
• Increase energy sustainability
• Promote homeland security
• Increase lubricity for engines
• Pay less for energy - maybe

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Environmental Impacts of Biodiesel

• Large Reductions in
• CO2
• SOx
• Particulates
• Odor
• Slight Increase in
• NOx

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Photosynthesis
Carbon Dioxide
Oxygen
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Nitrogen Fixation
Nitrogen
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Biodiesel Yield 1.25 Gallons B100 per bushel
62 Gallons B100 310 Gallons B20 1240 Gallons
B5 1.1 tons of Soybean Meal
50 Bushels Soybeans per acre
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Make Sure its Biodiesel!
ASTM D-6751
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Biodiesel Checklist

• Meets ASTM D 6751 Standards
• Fuel filters
• Cold weather precautions
• Engine compatibility
• Wipe spills immediately
• Sore rags in safety can
• Use within 6 months

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Making Your Own Biodiesel

• Safety
• Compliance w/ environmental regulations
• Feedstock availability
• Time commitment
• Economics
• Handling of byproducts
• Engine performance

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Transesterification
Fuel-Grade Biodiesel
Feedstock Oil
Methanol
Catalyst
Drier
Water
Reactor
Washer
Separator
Raw Biodiesel
Wash Water
Glycerol (with methanol)
Glycerin
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Disposal Options

• Glycerol
• Landfill as hazardous waste
• Dispose in anaerobic manure digester
• Industrial incineration at temperature gt 500 F
• Special permission from PADEP required
• Land application prohibited by law!

• Glycerin (after methanol removed)
• Composting
• Use as an ingredient for
• Degreaser
• Soap
• Dust suppressant
• Animal feed

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Disposal Options

• Wash Water
• Public sanitary sewer (with permission)
• Must be prevented from entering waterways, storm
  sewers, and water runoff channels
• Contaminating waterways with wash water is illegal

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THERES NO SILVER BULLET
Lone Ranger

• Look for Site-Specific Energy Solutions

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Alternative Energy Sources
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ENERGY EFFICIENCY
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Photosynthesis
Carbon Dioxide
Oxygen