Biodiesel Generator
Format
SOECS Senior Project Demonstration
Abstract/Artist Statement
Overall, the purpose of this newly proposed research is to plan, engineer, and develop a sophisticated demonstration prototype unit for the production of biodiesel fuel from used cooking oil. In today’s shortage of fossil fuels, a new generation of cleaner burning biofuels is coming up and proving to compete with current petrol and diesel fuels of today. Using an 8 gallon stainless steel drum, the unit will essentially be capable of producing upwards of 5 gallons of Methyl- Ester, more commonly known as biodiesel. Using a simple submerged immersion heater and a diaphragm pump, the main processor unit is capable of shortening the reaction time to about 12 hours, before settling in a conical tank another 12 hours. Using a two-stage process, the unit is capable of producing biodiesel using either methanol or ethanol as the alcohol. The purpose of using a two-stage process is to convert the free-fatty acids and triglycerides into alkyl-esters within the two stages of Esterification (stage 1) and Transesterification (stage 2). The research done in the laboratory has proven the process to produce quality biodiesel which has been tested to meet theoretical heating values of current biodiesel samples. This simple prototype unit will hopefully spark a new profound research into biofuels in the School of Engineering at this university.
Location
School of Engineering and Computer Sciences
Start Date
5-5-2007 2:00 PM
End Date
5-5-2007 3:30 PM
Biodiesel Generator
School of Engineering and Computer Sciences
Overall, the purpose of this newly proposed research is to plan, engineer, and develop a sophisticated demonstration prototype unit for the production of biodiesel fuel from used cooking oil. In today’s shortage of fossil fuels, a new generation of cleaner burning biofuels is coming up and proving to compete with current petrol and diesel fuels of today. Using an 8 gallon stainless steel drum, the unit will essentially be capable of producing upwards of 5 gallons of Methyl- Ester, more commonly known as biodiesel. Using a simple submerged immersion heater and a diaphragm pump, the main processor unit is capable of shortening the reaction time to about 12 hours, before settling in a conical tank another 12 hours. Using a two-stage process, the unit is capable of producing biodiesel using either methanol or ethanol as the alcohol. The purpose of using a two-stage process is to convert the free-fatty acids and triglycerides into alkyl-esters within the two stages of Esterification (stage 1) and Transesterification (stage 2). The research done in the laboratory has proven the process to produce quality biodiesel which has been tested to meet theoretical heating values of current biodiesel samples. This simple prototype unit will hopefully spark a new profound research into biofuels in the School of Engineering at this university.