1

Biodiesel, a Carbon Neutral Alternative fuel to

Petroleum DieselIhab H. Farag, Sc.D., P.E.

Chemical Engineering DeptUniversity of New Hampshire

GIN2009 Conference Joint Actions on Climate Change, June 8-10, 2009, Aalborg, Denmark

University of New HampshireDurham, NH 03824-3591, USA

Phone: 1-603-862-2313, fax: 1-603-862-3747

email:ihab.farag@unh.edu

•Biodiesel•Advantages &

Overview

•Advantages & Challenges

•Production

• Chemically, biodiesel molecules are mono-alkyl esters produced usually from triglyceride esters

• Transesterification Process.

What is Biodiesel?

• 100 lb 11.3 lb (1 lb NaOH) 97 lb =13.3 gal 11 lb

0.75 lb/gal bd

0.1 lb/gal bd Fatty acid methyl ester, FAME

1st step, Diglucerid 2nd step, mono, then 3rd step FAME and glycerol

Biodiesel Made inMade in UNH by the UNH Biodiesel Group

• Clean Burning Alternative fuel for diesel engines

• Produced from Domestic Renewable Resources: any fat or oil like vegetable oil used

What is Biodiesel?

or oil, like vegetable oil, used greases, animal fat.

• Oxygenated fuel with 10% O2• Meets health effect testing of the

Clean Air Act (CAA)• Blends will with diesel

Biodiesel: Renewable Alternative “Green” Fuel-- Uses

Anywhere petroleum diesel is used: transportation, home heating, power generation.

2

Blending Biodiesel & Diesel BiodieselEnergy

ConsiderationConsideration

Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROEI)• Measures how efficiently the fuel itself is

produced and delivered, i.e., how much energy available per unit energy input.

Fuel EROI Biodiesel from Soy 3.2Biodiesel from wastes 5Ethanol from Corn Starch 1.34Cellulosic Ethanol 2.2Hydrogen from Natural Gas 0.528

Global Warming and Other

ConsiderationConsideration

Fossil CO2Release to Atmosphere

PetroDiesel CO2 Cycle22.2lbs (10.1 kg) of fossil CO2 released per gal burned

Exploration

Refining

Use in Cars and Trucks

Gasoline carbon content per gallon: 2,421 grams,Diesel carbon content per gallon: 2,778 gramshttp://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/420f05001.htm,

CO2 Emission Biodiesel Renewable Fuel CycleCO2 Neutral System

Biodiesel’s Closed Carbon Cycle

3

Relative Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ethanol 85%

B20

Diesel Hybrid

Electric

B100 B100 = 100% BiodieselB20 = 20% BD + 80% PD

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Gasoline

CNG

LPG

Diesel

Data from “A Fresh Look at CNG: A Comparison of Alternative Fuels”, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program, 8/13/2001

http://www.greencampus.harvard.edu/green_projects/afvp/rec/bus.pdf

Petroleum diesel exhaust and children• Diesel particulates are

a probable carcinogen• School buses and other

heavy diesel vehicles expose everyone to particulates

• Biodiesel can reduce particulates by up to 99%*, far more than with Compressed natural gas (CNG).

* Biodiesel alone reduces particulates from 30-90%. Since it contains no sulfur, it also allows the use of better particulate traps in the exhaust systems of vehicles, which can reduce the particulates even further.

Relative emissions: Diesel and Biodiesel B100 & B20

Sulfates

PAHs

n-PAHs

Mutagenicity

CO2B100 **B20Diesel

** B100 (100% biodiesel) with NOx adsorbing catalyst and a CRT particulate filter on vehicle

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Total Unburned HCs

CO

Particulate Matter

**NOx

Sulfates

Percent

Relative Hazards: Diesel and Biodiesel

Spill HazardLower emissions

High flash point (>300F), Safe to store and burnBiodegradableEssentially non-toxic.

Biodegradability

Flash Point

Toxicity

3 tim

es

Relative Hazards: Diesel and Biodiesel

Biodegradability

Flash Point

Toxicity Spill Hazard

Biodiesel: Good enough to drink!

•Less toxic than salt

•More biodegra-dable than sugar http://journeytoforever.org/media/b/bd-drink.jpg

4

Biodiesel Challenges• Cold Weather Operation

http://www.biodiesel.org/cold/customers/Brooklyn%20Park.plow2_thumb.jpg

Biodiesel Challenges• Cold Weather Operation (14 F)

http://www.biodiesel.org/cold/customers/Brooklyn%20Park.plow2_thumb.jpg

http://www.trianglebiofuels.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/b100_antigel-1.jpg

Biodiesel Challenges• Cold Weather Operation• Stability/Storage• Producing enough feedstock g g

oil to replace a large portion of petroleum

Oil & Biodiesel yield of Soybeans & Canola

Soybeans CanolaSoybeans Canola

Gallons biodiesel/acre 50 92Acres/million gallons BD ~24,000 ~14,000

http://www.pioneer.com/usa/agronomy/soybeans/biodiesel.htm

Feedstock Vegetable Oil Prices US$/tonne

600

800

1000 Jun‐06Dec‐06Jun‐07

• fromD1 report, June 29,2007

200

400

600

Rapeseed Soy Palm

Dilemma

5

The New Frontier What is Algae?• Simple plant-like organism

– Simple: no leaves, no roots, etc

– Plant-like: photosynthesis

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:rclb7UEFr98Z_M:http://www.microimaging.ca/bursaria.jpg

• Fast Growth, e.g., Chlorella quadruples approximately every 24 hours

Oil & Biodiesel yield of Soybeans, Canola & Algae

Soybean Canola Algaey g

Gallons biodiesel/acre 50 90

2000-15000

Acres/million gallons BD ~24,000 ~14,000 ~130

http://www.pioneer.com/usa/agronomy/soybeans/biodiesel.htm, 60 billion gal biodiesel = 8 million acres

The Algae Promise?• Land

Required to replace 50%

f t USof current US Biodiesel use using corn, soybean and algae

“Algal and Terrestrial Second-Generation Biofuels –Chevron and the New Energy Equation,” P. Bryan, S. Miller, Chevron Biofuels, Chevron ETC

Growing Algae• Light Energy• Water• Nutrient: N, P, K

Air

• Aeration: CO2• pH 6-9• Mixing• Temperature

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:rclb7UEFr98Z_M:http://www.microimaging.ca/bursaria.jpg

Day 0 Day 1Day 3

Day 6

Day 7

Day 10 Day 8

Day 11 Day 12 Foaming, evaporation

Growing Algae

6

Large Scale Algae Growth: Raceway PondsWaterNutrient

http://students.chem.tue.nl/ifp23/interim_report/algae2.jpg

Algae

Waste CO2

Raceway Ponds: Cyanotech, Hawaii

8000 gal/acre-yr

Raceway Ponds Problems Raceway Ponds Problems• Takeover by low oil strains• Vulnerability to Temperature

Fluctuations• High Evaporation Losses• High Evaporation Losses• Sunlight can only penetrate the

pond water to a limited depth.• Hard to control light exposure• Minimum Depth about 15 cm

Algae Growth: 80 L Photobioreactor

UNH Biodiesel Lab

Algae Oil to Biodiesel

Transesterification

7

Algal Biodiesel Energy Balance

Transesterification

Biofuel Sustainability: Water

Non-Fresh (Impaired) Water use in Algae

• Municipal Wastewater• Agriculture Wastewater• Brakish Water• Geothermal water & heat

Biodiesel from Algae• Environmental

Benefit: Using Nutrient Richwastewater

Biodiesel from Algae• Environmental

Benefit: Using Sea water

http://www.coping.org/travels/leaf/nhsea/sea21.jpg

Biodiesel from Algaehttp://www.americasheartland.org/episodes/episode_422/really_going_green.htm

http://www.coping.org/travels/leaf/nhsea/sea21.jpg

8

•Biodiesel•Advantages &

Overview

•Advantages & Challenges

•Algae

AcknowledgmentMembers of the UNH Biodiesel GGroup

Thank you for your time.

OverviewOverview

BackgroundP2NH P2 InternshipSample Internships

BackgroundBackgroundDeveloping strong partnerships of academia and industry is an important element of achieving a strong educational program.

Partnerships are

UNH, US EPA, and the NH Department of Environmental Services formed the NH Pollution Prevention Partnership in 1993

Partnerships are mutually beneficial, and result in strong alliance between industry and academia

Conventionaleconomical growthend of pipe treatment

New Trends

sustainable growthsource reduction / risk

reduction/ reuse+ recycle

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development

y

= Cleaner Technology : CT= Pollution Prevention : P2

Environmental Performanceis Increasingly Affecting Trade Access in the Global Marketplace

Pollution Prevention (P2)/ Pollution Prevention (P2)/ Cleaner Production (CP)Cleaner Production (CP)

P2: it is easier to prevent problems than to fix them. Goal: to reduce the pollution and the waste at the sourceand the waste at the source, before it is generated.Outcome: reduce treatment costs, risks and liabilitiesMultimedia approach

Benefits of P2Benefits of P2Save money...

Meet/Exceed regulationsMeet/Exceed regulations...

Improve image...

Reduce liability...

NH P2 Internship Program (P2I)NH P2 Internship Program (P2I)10-week program in the summerHands-on learning experienceCompetent, trained students On-site industry placementsOn site industry placementsFlexible P2 project designFinding practical solutions and getting paid

P2 Internship Program: Why?P2 Internship Program: Why?

Students:Hands-on trainingEvaluate future careerSolve real-life problems

Facilities: Cost-savingsImproved operationsP2/waste reduction/

ffi iSolve real-life problemsExperience real-world issuesImprove the environment, conserve energy

energy efficiency Facility/Corporate imageCompliance assistanceCompetent students do the legworkEvaluate potential employees

Intern Qualifications/ Intern Qualifications/ ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Be a continuing undergraduate or graduate student.Complete the P2 training workshop.Apply for P2 Internshippp y pPrepare a proposal at start of P2IMid-summer Oral Progress PresentationAt the end of the internship, interns provide.– Oral presentation– Written project report/case study.

Internships by Industry TypeInternships by Industry Type

Auto-parts

packaging

govt

chemicalsother power

education

health

ElectronicMetal Finsh

paper

textile

packaging

Sample Sample InternshipsInternshipspp

Water Consumption Water Consumption Climate Climate Wise ProjectWise Project

Goal: To capture all the energy savings and associatedenergy savings and associated

reductions in greenhouse gases, along with legitimate proof of these reductions for

several years

Energy Sources that give Energy Sources that give off greenhouse gases.off greenhouse gases.ElectricityNatural GasNatural Gas# 6 Fuel OilEnergy usage for all three

sources were tabulated yearly for several years

68

10

of lb

s.

Greenhouse Gas reductions Greenhouse Gas reductions from Energy from Energy SSaving aving PProjectsrojects

0246

Mil

lio

ns o

Year

US EPA New England Community

Energy Challenge• You can not manage

what you do not measure

Do You Know How Well Your Facilities Perform?

measure.• Until recently, a

standardized, comparable metric of whole building energy performance did not exist!

• EPA’s Energy PerformanceRating System

Do You Know How Well Your Facilities Perform?

Rating Systemwas developed to meet this need.

• A web-based tool for measuring and tracking energy performance of a building or portfolio of buildings.

• All types of commercial and

What is Portfolio Manager?

institutional buildings can use Portfolio Manager to track and benchmark energy use over time.

US EPA New England Community

Energy ChallengeEPA is challenging communities to save money and reduce air pollution by

A i ( i P f li M )- Assessing energy use (using Portfolio Manager) (Town Offices, K-12 schools, Wastewater treatment facilities)

- Taking action to improve energy efficiency, and- Seeking out renewable energy sources- 10% reduction commitment

CO2 Reductions due 10% savings

• 434,277 kWh/yr• = 338 tons CO2/yr: • 38,324 gal gasoline• 61.8 passenger cars

not driven for 1 year

•$24,882/yr in energy savingshttp://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html

UNH P2 Internship Program:UNH P2 Internship Program:partnership of government, academia, and industrypartnership of government, academia, and industry

NHSBTPNHSBTPNH National GuardNH National GuardNewburyport CityNewburyport CityPAK 2000PAK 2000PortexPortexPSNHPSNHQuinQuin--TTRohm& HaasRohm& Haas

ConceptronicsConceptronicsDigital EqptDigital EqptDupuy OrthopaedicDupuy OrthopaedicElliot HospElliot HospEnthone ChemEnthone ChemUS EPA Region 1US EPA Region 1Ferrofluidics Ferrofluidics Franklin Franklin ElectroplatingElectroplating

Freudenberg Freudenberg -- NOKNOKGeneral ElectricGeneral ElectricHADCO HADCO Janco, P.C.Janco, P.C.L.W. PackardL.W. PackardMarkemMarkemNashua CorpNashua CorpNHPPPNHPPP

SanminaSanminaSermatechSermatechSMI, MESMI, METeledyneTeledyneTeradyneTeradyneTextronTextronTrelleborg SolutionsTrelleborg SolutionsTyco electronicsTyco electronicsUS Coast GuardUS Coast GuardVelcro USA IncVelcro USA IncXL/SpraytechXL/Spraytech

UNH P2 UNH P2 Internship Internship Program: Program: Savings,Savings,$MM/year$MM/year

Win-Win-Win ResultsC t iC t i

NH P2I Savings, NH P2I Savings, $MM/year$MM/year

Cost savingsCost savingsReduced job related Reduced job related injuriesinjuriesEquipment savingsEquipment savingsHealthier workforceHealthier workforceCleaner environmentCleaner environment

partnership of government, academia, and industryhttp://www.unh.edu/p2/nhppp/p2intprgm.html

NH P2I Program TransferabilityNH P2I Program Transferability

The P2I Program has been widely acknowledged for its approach, education value and accomplishments. We had requests from many States as well as international inquiry to help in establishing a similar P2I program. Awards

NH P2I receives 2004 EPA Environmental NH P2I receives 2004 EPA Environmental Merit AwardMerit Award

NH P2I receives 2004 Most Valuable NH P2I receives 2004 Most Valuable Pollution Prevention National AwardPollution Prevention National Award

RecapRecapBackgroundP2P2NH P2 InternshipSample Internships

Thank you for your time.