Biodiesel ProductionBiodiesel Production

Austin PettAustin Pett

Robert YorkRobert York

Transportation Energy DemandTransportation Energy Demand

Total delivered energy Total delivered energy consumption for consumption for transportation was 27.8 transportation was 27.8 quadrillion Btu in 2004quadrillion Btu in 2004

This accounted for over This accounted for over 25% of the entire U.S. 25% of the entire U.S. energy consumptionenergy consumption

Projected to reach 39.7 Projected to reach 39.7 quadrillion Btu in 2030quadrillion Btu in 2030 1

The AlternativeThe Alternative

Biodiesel is a cleaner Biodiesel is a cleaner burning replacement fuel burning replacement fuel made from renewable made from renewable sources like new and sources like new and used vegetable oils and used vegetable oils and animal fatsanimal fats

Low-level blends (Low-level blends (≤20% ≤20% biodiesel) can be used in biodiesel) can be used in almost any existing diesel almost any existing diesel engineengine

High-level blends (>20% High-level blends (>20% can be used in most new can be used in most new diesel enginesdiesel engines

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Biodiesel BackgroundBiodiesel Background

Four main production Four main production methodsmethods Direct use and Direct use and

blendingblending Micro emulsionsMicro emulsions Thermal crackingThermal cracking TransesterificationTransesterification

TransesterificationTransesterification Most common Most common

production methodproduction method Uses vegetable oils Uses vegetable oils

and animal fats as and animal fats as feed stocksfeed stocks

The reaction of a fat or The reaction of a fat or oil with an alcohol to oil with an alcohol to form esters (biodiesel) form esters (biodiesel) and glyceroland glycerol

Technological ChallengesTechnological Challenges

Expensive feed Expensive feed stocks and inefficient stocks and inefficient production methodsproduction methods

Strict standards for Strict standards for product qualityproduct quality

NONOxx emissions emissions

Transportation and Transportation and storage concernsstorage concerns

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StorageStorage Biodiesel should be stored 5-10 degrees F above cloud Biodiesel should be stored 5-10 degrees F above cloud

point.point.

Above ground fuel systems should be protected with Above ground fuel systems should be protected with insulation, agitation, heating systems, or other measure.insulation, agitation, heating systems, or other measure.

Test Method

CloudPoint ASTM

D2500

Pour Point ASTM D97

Cold Filter Plug Point IP 309

B100 Fuel oF oC oF oC oF oC

Soy Methyl Ester 38 3 25 -4 28 -2

Canola Methyl Ester 26 -3 25 -4 24 -4

Lard Methyl Ester 56 13 55 13 52 11

Edible Tallow Methyl Ester 66 19 60 16 58 14

Inedible Tallow Methyl Ester 61 16 59 15 50 10

Yellow Grease 1 Methyl Ester -- -- 48 9 52 11

Yellow Grease 2 Methyl Ester 46 8 43 6 34 1 5

TransportationTransportation

Should not be contaminatedShould not be contaminated

Trucks or railcars should be washed from previous load Trucks or railcars should be washed from previous load to prevent mixing with leftover residuals or water.to prevent mixing with leftover residuals or water.

In cold weather can be shipped in several waysIn cold weather can be shipped in several ways Hot for immediate delivery (80-130 F)Hot for immediate delivery (80-130 F) Hot (120-130 F) in railcars for delivery within 7-8 daysHot (120-130 F) in railcars for delivery within 7-8 days Frozen in railcars equipped with steam coilsFrozen in railcars equipped with steam coils Blended with winter diesel, kerosene or other low cloud point Blended with winter diesel, kerosene or other low cloud point

fuelfuel

Biodiesel EconomicsBiodiesel Economics

60-70% of the cost to process biodiesel is from feed 60-70% of the cost to process biodiesel is from feed stock costsstock costs

Yellow Grease has a limited supplyYellow Grease has a limited supply Soybean and other plant oils have long term price issuesSoybean and other plant oils have long term price issues

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Biodiesel EconomicsBiodiesel Economics

There is ample room for There is ample room for improvement in the improvement in the efficiency of processing efficiency of processing biodieselbiodiesel

Development of a Development of a continuous continuous transesterification transesterification processprocess

Recovery of high Recovery of high quality glycerolquality glycerol

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Government PolicyGovernment Policy

Energy Policy Act (Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998)Energy Policy Act (Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998)

Reduce nations dependency on foreign oilReduce nations dependency on foreign oil

Requires certain fleets to acquire AFVsRequires certain fleets to acquire AFVs

Credits rewarded for acquisition of AFVs and biodieselCredits rewarded for acquisition of AFVs and biodiesel

Biodiesel Tax IncentiveBiodiesel Tax Incentive

Several grant programsSeveral grant programs

Tax credits for blending biodieselTax credits for blending biodiesel

Investment opportunities in certain refueling infrastructureInvestment opportunities in certain refueling infrastructure

The Future of BiodieselThe Future of Biodiesel Should be considered for use as an alternative and not a primary Should be considered for use as an alternative and not a primary

fuelfuel

Short and long term environmental benefits will be worthwhileShort and long term environmental benefits will be worthwhile

Storage Issues with Stability and Transportation issues with high Storage Issues with Stability and Transportation issues with high cost of delivered fuel compared to fossil fuelscost of delivered fuel compared to fossil fuels

Fuel-supply reliabilityFuel-supply reliability

Lack of understanding of environmental impact - NOx emissionsLack of understanding of environmental impact - NOx emissions

Complexity of biomass-power infrastructure compared to known well Complexity of biomass-power infrastructure compared to known well established coal and natural gas marketsestablished coal and natural gas markets

SourcesSources

1)1) http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/demand.htmlhttp://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/demand.html

2)2) http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/

3)3) http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/40555.pdfpdfs/40555.pdf

4)4) http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/analysispaper/http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/analysispaper/biodiesel/pdf/tbl3.pdfbiodiesel/pdf/tbl3.pdf

5)5) http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/40555.pdfpdfs/40555.pdf

6)6) http://www.pilot-plant.com/images/reactive-distihttp://www.pilot-plant.com/images/reactive-distillation-heterogeneous.jpgllation-heterogeneous.jpg

Questions?Questions?