Vegetable-Based Fuel

History
Dr. Rudolph Diesel developed a unique engine in 1895. This engine was
designed to operate on peanut oil or other vegetable based fuels

Dr. Diesel demonstrated his engine at the 1900 World Exhibition

Dr. Diesel mysteriously died in 1913.

After his death, Diesels engine was adapted to use a by-product of the
gasoline refining process. The petroleum industry called it diesel fuel.

March 18th- Biodiesel Action Day

The use of vegetable oils as engine fuels may seem insignificant today
but the such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as
petroleum and the coal tar products of the present time.
-Rudolph Diesel,
1912
 Comparison of SVO, biodiesel
and Diesel
VEGETABLE OIL BIODIESEL DIESEL FUEL
Triglyceride of fatty Alkyl esters of Fatty Saturated
acid (Molecular Wt acid Hydrocarbon (C12-
700-1000) Molecular Wt~260 to C14) Molecular
300 Wt~200
10% less heating 10-12 % less heating Major hydrogen
value than diesel value than diesel and carbon (SOx,
because it contains NOx, PAH)
Oxygen
Kinematic viscosity is Kinematic viscosity is Kinematic
higher (35-45 cSt at in same range of viscosity is lower
40oC) that of diesel (3.8 -5 cSt at 40oC)
Less volatility Less volatile than High volatility
diesel
BIO-DIESEL
Cont

Biodiesel
A fuel comprising of Mono-alkyl esters of
long chain fatty acids derived from
vegetable oils or animal fats, designated
B100

Biodiesel Blend
A blend of Biodiesel fuel with petroleum-
based diesel fuel designated BXX, where
XX is the volume percent Biodiesel
 Raw material in different
countries
Soyabean oil
Palm oil
Waste Cooking oil
Jatropha oil
Karanje oil
Rape seed oil
Sunflower oil
Cotton Seed oil
Beef Tallow oil
USA, Canada
South East Asian Countries
USA, Canada
India, China,
India
Europe
Europe
Greece
Ireland
Biodiesel Indian Context

Renewable fuel

Can be produced domestically from

non edible and wild crops grown in
waste lands

Sustained availability of raw material

High potential to generate local

employment and economic
opportunities
Biodiesel Indian Context
Contd

Biodegradable and non-toxic - hence it

poses no environmental threat while in
transit

Low-cost and not-a-very-high-tech

route

Can be readily implemented even in

rural sector

Produced domestically -so strengthens

Biodiesel Potential in India

From about 100 varieties of oil seeds,

only 10-12 varieties have been tapped
so far

Some of these oils have not been

harvested to any noticeable extent due
to lack of demand for industrial use in
the country
Biodiesel - Application Areas

Diesel gensets

Irrigation pumps

Small scale / home industries

Tractors (self-sufficiency for the farmer)

Transportation sector
 Non Edible Vegetable Oils
Available in India

Possible raw materials for biodiesel

Ratanjyot Jatropha curcas
KaranjaPongamia glabra
Mahua Madhuca indica
Pilu Salvadora oleoides
Sal Shorea robusta
Nahor Mesua ferra linn
Kamala Mallotus phillipines
Kokam Garcinia indica
Rubber Seed Hevea Brasilensis
Oils Tested in UPES for Engine
application

Azadirachta indica (Neem)

Madhuca indica (Mahua)
Pongamia pinnata (Karanja)*
Jatropha Curcas*
Kusum
Palm
Rice Bran Oil
Linseed

*used for long term studies

Jatropha fruits and Karanja fruits and
decorticated jatropha pods decorticated karanja pods

Polanga fruits and decorticated

polanga pods
Vegetable Oil related studies in
UPES on Diesel Engines

Studies on neat vegetable oils

Development of biodiesel in lab
Physico-chemical analysis of biofuels
Performance characteristics studies
Exhaust emission characteristics studies
Combustion studies
Endurance tests
Tribological studies
Fuel Formulation Techniques

Blending
Emulsification
Esterification

Transesterification was eventually successful in

bringing about the viscosity close to conventional
diesel
 Why Tranesterification?
Vegetable oils have viscosity up to 12
times that of diesel fuel mainly because
vegetable oils have larger molecules: up
to four times larger than typical diesel
molecules

High viscosity interferes with the injection

process and leads to poor fuel
atomization

Inefficient mixing with air contributes -

incomplete combustion - more deposit
formation - carbonisation of injector tips -
valve seats resulting in serious engine
Chemical structure of a typical triglyceride
(Vegetable oil)
Transesterification

Transesterification is the process of using an alcohol

(e.g., methanol or ethanol) in the presence of a
catalyst, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium
hydroxide, to chemically break the molecule of the
raw renewable oil into methyl or ethyl esters of the
renewable oil with glycerol as a by-product.
 Biodiesel Production
Triglyceride
Biodiesel
Fatty Acid Chain

Glycerol

Catalyst (KOH)

Methanol
Glycerol
 Biodiesel Production
Requires vegetable oil, an alcohol
(methanol) and a catalyst (KOH)
 Incomplete Reactions

monoglyceride diglyceride Triglyceride
(2/3 reaction) (1/3 reaction) (no reaction)
Process flow diagrams for biodiesel
production
 Parameters affecting Transesterification

Moisture
Free fatty acid
Reaction Temperature
Alcohol molar ratio to vegatable oil
Reaction time
Catalyst type and concentration
a). Homogeneous Catalyst (KOH / NaOH)
b). Acid Catalyst (HCl, H2SO4)
c). Heterogeneous Catalyst (CaO, ZnO)
d). Enzymes (Lipase)
e). Without catalyst (SCF of Methanol)
 Alcohol Choice
Methanol (MeOH)
Shortest-chain alcohol
Most used by both homebrewers and in the industry
Biological effects similar to consuming ethanol, but more severe
Can cause nervous system failure, blindness if ingested or
absorbed through the skin or breathed in great quantities
Ethanol
2-carbon chain alcohol
More restrictions on purchasing, storage and use
Higher rate of complications in reaction

Both highly flammable and must be respected

Store only as much as you need in a safe area
higher alcohal like propanol, butanol, may be used
 Problems of Biodiesel Production
Both base and acid catalyzed processes are associated with several
inherent problems:

Free fatty acids interfere with transesterification deactivate the

basic catalysts loss of catalyst and biodiesel yield.
Water deactivates both basic and acidic catalysts. Drying of oil
may be required.
Soaps formed with basic catalyst form emulsion and foam and
difficult to remove.
When processing feed stocks with high free fatty acids additional
steps must be taken.
After basic transesterification, the purification and adequate testing
during processing is required to produce fuel grade esters.
Schematic layout of the experimental set up of biodiesel
reactor
Polanga, Jatropha and Karanja oil samples for
study
Biodiesel plant of one and ten liters capacity per
batch
Hammer mill
capacity of 100
kg per hour with
one 2hp motor
Oil Expeller Capacity of 50kg per hour
(Two numbers) consists of
6hp motor for expeller 2 Nos.
1hp motor with centrifugal pump 1 No
lter Presses: 18 X 18 with 18 no of chambers
unger pump capacity: 700 liters per hour
1

Degummer and Glass

Reactor/distillation unit with
agitator and oil jacket of 100
liters capacity.
Catalyst Dozer:
SS 304 Catalyst Dozer with
agitator without Jacket of
50 litres capacity.

Reactor/Alcohol recovery section:

SS 316 Batch Reactor/distillation
unit with agitator and oil jacket of
100 liters capacity.
Vapor Condenser SS304, 1.5 m
SS 304 Settling Tank with
Cylindrical Bottom with slight
glass of 100 liters capacity, 3
nos.
Washing Unit:
SS 304 Settling Tank
with Cylindrical Bottom
with slight glass of 100
liters capacity (3 nos.)
along with baby boiler.
Vacuum Drier
SS 316 Batch Reactor/distillation
unit with agitator and oil jacket
of 50 liters capacity.
Vapor Condenser SS304, 1.5 m
mance evaluation of Integrated Biodiesel Plant
 Biodiesel Specifications

ASTM D-6751
EN 14214
IS 15607: 2005
Biodiesel Specifications
Property EU (Draft) ASTM 6751 Draft BIS

Ester % min 96.5 - -

Density Kg/m3 860-900 - 870-900
Viscosity mm/s2 3.5-5.0 1.9-6.0 3.5-5.0
Flash Point, C, min 100 130 100
CN, min 49 47 51
Sulphur, % m/m max 0.01 0.05 0.05
CCR, % m/m max 0.3 0.05 0.05
Free methanol %m, max (10%Res.) 0.02 0.2
Total glycerol, %m, max 0.2 0.24 0.25
Neutral No mKOH/g, max 0.25
0.8 0.8
0.5
 Figure 3.10 Canon-Fenske Figure 3.11 Bomb calorimeter
viscometer

Figure 3.12 Flash point apparatus Figure 3.13 Pour & Cloud point
apparatus
 Polanga Jatroph Karanja Diesel
a

Biodiesel produced for engine testing

Fuel Properties considered

1 Density/specific gravity 17 Water

content
2 Kinematic Viscosity 18 Cloud
point
3 Flashpoint 19 (Oxi,)
ash
4 CFPP 20 Net
calorific value
5 Pour point 21 Acid
Number/Neutral No.
6 Cetane number 22 Ester
content
7 Distillation characteristics 23 Methanol
content
8 Conardson carbon Residue 24 Mono -
glycerides
9 Sulfur content 25 Di-
glycerides
Density slightly heavier than conventional diesel fuel (specific gravity
0.88 compared to 0.84
Cetane number of a diesel engine fuel is indicative of its ignition
characteristics. Higher
the cetane number better it is in its ignition properties. Cetane number
affects a number of
engine performance parameters like combustion, stability, driveability,
white smoke,
Viscosity is defined as the resistance to shear or flow; it is highly
noise and emissions
dependent on of CO and HC.
Bio-diesel
temperaturehasandhigher cetane
it describes thenumber
behaviorthan conventional
of a liquid in motion diesel
near a fuel
solid boundary like the walls of a pipe.Fuel viscosity controls the
characteristics
Flash point of aof the
fuel is injection
defined asfrom the diesel injector
the temperature (droplet
at which it will
size,
ignitespray
whencharacteristicsetc.)
exposed to
a flame or spark, Flashpoint of bio-diesel is higher (160oC) than the
petroleum based diesel
fuel
Cloud point is the temperature at which a cloud or haze of crystals
appear in the fuel
under test conditions and thus becomes important for low temperature
operations.
Biodiesel generally has higher cloud point than diesel fuel
The fire point of a fuel is the temperature at which it will continue to
burn for at least 5 seconds after ignition by an open flame. At the
flash point, a lower temperature, a substance will ignite briefly, but
vapor might not be produced at a rate to sustain the fire

Moisture can react with the catalyst during transesterification which can
lead to soap formation and Emulsions. 16,17 For this study, if the feedstock
moisture was above 0.050 wt %, the feedstock was dried using heat and
vacuum to reduce the moisture before further conversion to minimize
effects from emulsions
Sulfur content duringistransesterification
in biodiesel limited to 15 ppm maximum by ASTM
D6751.
Therefore, it is important to know the original feedstock sulfur content
since it can value (or energy value or calorific value) of a substance,
The heating
contribute to biodiesel
usually a fuel sulfur
or food (see content.
food energy), is the amount of heat released
during the combustion of a specified amount of it. The energy value is a
characteristic for each substance. It is measured in units of energy per
unit of the substance, usually mass, such as: kJ/kg, kJ/mol, kcal/kg, Btu/lb.
Heating value is commonly determined by use of a bomb calorimeter. Cv
of biodiesel is lover than diesel
Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) At low operating
temperature fuel may thicken and not flow properly affecting the
performance of fuel lines, fuel pumps and injectors. Cold filter
plugging point of biodiesel reflects its cold weather performance. .
It defines the fuels limit of filterability.
Acid number/Neutralization number is specified to ensure proper
ageing properties of the fuel and/ or a good manufacturing process.
Acid number reflects the presence of free fatty acids or acids used in
manufacture of biodiesel. It also reflects the degradation of biodiesel
due to thermal effects
The degree of conversion completeness of the vegetable oil is indicated
by the amount of
free and total glycerol present in the bio-diesel
A high content of unsaturated fatty acids in the ester (indicated by
high Iodine number)
increases the danger of polymerization in the engine oil. iodine
number refer to the amount of iodine required to convert unsaturated
oil into saturated oil
The tendency of the fuel to be unstable can be predicted by Iodine
number. Different bio-diesel have different stability performance.
 Storage stability and hygroscopic nature of
microalgae biodiesel

A critical aspect for quality evolution of biodiesel due to microbial,

hydrolytic and oxidation degradation .

Oxidation degradation : related to no. of double bonds of fatty acids,

temperature and presence of ultraviolet light or air.

This lead to higher acid no. viscosity and formation of gum and sediments
that clog filters.

Hygroscopic nature of biodiesel due to MAGs and DAGs.

 Storage stability and hygroscopic nature of biodiesel

Chemistry of stability of biodiesel

Heat, light, metal or water can cause some FAME compounds to become
alkyl radicals, which in turn, react with oxygen (air) producing peroxyl
radicals in presence of acids and metals catalyst.

Those peroxyl radicals can further form hydroperoxide compounds, which

may decompose either to form simpler compounds such as acids, aldehydes and
alcohols or to form oxidative polymers. .
Storage stability and hygroscopic nature of biodiesel

Micro algal oil richer in poly unsaturated fatty acids with four or more
double bonds.
Storage stability may be improved by
a. partial hydrogenation of biodiesel
b. storing in a sealed airtight drum
c. using antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) or tert.-
d. butylhydroquinone (TBHQ).
e. Copper, brass, zinc, lead and tin parts should be replaced with

aluminum or steel since these metals oxidize both diesel and Biodiesel

fuels
st analysis details to produce Biodiesel
If seed Particulars Rate per unit Quantity material cost/liter
cost is (Rs) Required per of biodiesel
Rs.5/-per liter of biodiesel produced (Rs.)
kg
Rs.15.60 Jatropha Seed including 18.60 per kg 3.12 kg of seed Rs.58.032
transportation
Rs.7.92 Alcohol (methanol)(per lt) 79.20 per kg 0.1 kg of Rs.7.92
methanol
Rs.4.20 Catalyst(KOH)(per kg) 420 per kg 10gm of KOH Rs.4.20

Rs.4.25 Energy consumption as 5.00 per kWh 3057kWs Rs.4.25

calculated including =3057/3600
expelling, filtering, kWh=0.85 kWh
transesterification, washing
and drying
Rs.32.00 Total cost of biodiesel per kg Rs.74.402
Rs.37.00 Total cots of biodiesel per liter Rs.86.51
Rs.2.12 Less the cost of jatropha oil cake @Rs.1.00/ per kg for 2.2kg Rs.2.12
Rs.1.60 Less the cost of crude glycerol @Rs.40.00/ per kg for 0.04kg Rs.1.60
Rs.33.28 Total cots of biodiesel per liter reducing the cost of oil cake and Rs.82.79
crude glycerol
Average reduction in emissions with use of
biodiesel and 20% biodiesel
blends compared to diesel alone
Emission standards for heavy duty vehicle
 Toxicity issues
Biodiesel is non-toxic. The acute oral LD50
(lethal dose) is greater than 17.4-g/Kg-body
weight.
Very mild human skin irritation. It is less than
the irritation produced by 4% soap and water
solution.
- It is bio-degradable
There is no tendency for the mutagenicity of
exhaust gas to increase for a vehicle running
on biodiesel
 Effects on environment and
human health - Biodiesel
a cleaner-burning diesel
Biodiesel is considered a safer fuel. Biodiesel has a flash point of
about 1000C well above conventional diesel fuel
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
USA lists its aquatic toxicity as insignificant in its Registry of the
Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances. EPA rates biodiesel to have
the same safety concerns to that associated with conventional
fuels.
This product (biodiesel) is not hazardous under the criteria of the
Federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200
As per the California Proposition 65- this product contains no
chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer. This
fuel is registered under Fuel and Fuel additives at 40 CFR79 of US-
EPA.
Closed-Carbon Cycle
 Average effect on diesel engine emission
resulting from addition of biodiesel in diesel
fuels
Biodiesel Emissions Compared
to Conventional Diesel
 Biodiesel from algae: Biological concepts

Algae is an photosynthetic microorganism converts solar energy to

fixed neutral lipids in the presence of CO2 and light.

(Arumugam et al., 2010)

Optimum Growth Condition

Temp-25-30C, CO2: 1 to 2%; pH: 6.5-7.5 and light 1.2 Klux
 What are microalgae?

Aquatic species that carry out the same process and mechanism
of photosynthesis as higher plants.

>50% of Earths biomass (>100,000 known species).

Convert sunlight , water, carbon dioxide into biomass and

oxygen. Biomass contains lipids oil/ TAGs.

Very in composition (protein/

Fat/carbohydrate) .
 Types
Red Algae Diatoms
Benthic Single celled
Macro Silica cell wall
Green Algae Blue Green Algae
Chlorophyll a and b Vertical migration
Plants Fix N2 from air
Freshwater Freshwater
Brown Algae Dinoflagellates
Benthic Toxic; suck out O2
Macro Cause red tides
Kelp Organic matter
Marine
 Advantages of microalgae
Algae are very important from an ecological point of view. Algae are the food source for many animals and
belonging to the bottom of the food chain; moreover, they are the principle producers of oxygen on earth.
Their important role as food source is due to the content of minerals, vitamins and oils, rich in
polyunsaturated atty acids (PUFAs). Algae having the ability to synthesize TAGs are considered as a second
generation feedstock for production of biofuels, specifically biodiesel. The potential value of microalgal
photosynthesis to produce biofuels is widely recognized
1. Microalgae synthesize and accumulate large quantities of neutral lipids/oil [2050% dry cell weight
(DCW)] and grow at high rates (e.g. 13 doublings/day).
2. Oil yield per area of microalgae cultures could greatly exceed the yield of best oilseed crops.
3. Microalgae can be cultivated in saline/brackish water/coastal seawater on non-arable land, and do
not compete for resources with conventional agriculture.
4. Microalgae tolerate marginal lands (e.g. desert, arid and semiarid lands) that are not suitable for
conventional agriculture.
5. Microalgae utilize nitrogen and phosphorus from a variety of wastewater sources (e.g. agricultural
run-off, concentrated animal feed operations, and industrial and municipal wastewaters),
providing the additional benefit of wastewater bioremediation.
6. Microalgae sequester CO2 from flue gases emitted from fossil fuel-fired power plants and other
sources, thereby reducing emissions of a major greenhouse gas. 1 kg of algal biomass requiring
about 1.8 kg of CO2 .
7. Microalgae produce value-added co-products or by-products (
e.g. biopolymers, proteins, polysaccharides, pigments, animal feed and fertilizer) and does not
need herbicide and pesticide.
8. Microalgae grow in suitable culture vessels (photobioreactors) throughout the year with higher
annual biomass productivity on an area basis.
Microalgae can provide several different types of renewable biofuels. These include methane produced by
anaerobic digestion of the algal biomass; biodiesel derived from microalgal oil, photobiologically produced
biohydrogen and bioethanol by fermentation.
 Algae Biotechnology transforms
Carbon Management from a Cost
into a Revenue
Algal Biotechnology Converts Flue Gases & Sunlight into Used Algae have Multiple
Biofuels through Photosynthesis Potential Uses

Cleane
d
Gases Co-Firing
Sunlight
Power Plant / Green Power
Energy Source Aus$60/t
GreenFuel bioreactor
Esterification Biodiesel
Aus$700/t
Flue
Gases Fermentation Ethanol
Aus$380/t
Drying Protein Meal
Aus$400/t
NOx + CO2 from
Patented Algal
combustion flue gas
Biotechnology
emissions
Potential Uses for Micro-Algae
Ferment Biomass for
 How to get oil
Expeller/Press
Algae is dried
Oil content can be "pressed" out with an oil press
Extracts 70-75% of the oils out of algae
Hexane Solvent Method
Uses chemicals (such as hexane and methanol)
Can be harmful and explosive
Cold press & hexane solvent = extract 95% of oil
Supercritical Fluid Extraction
CO2 is liquefied under pressure and heated to the point
that it has the properties of both a liquid and gas
This liquefied fluid then acts as the solvent in extracting
the oil
Can Extract almost 100% of the oils
Expensive equipment
Oil content of few micro algal species:
Microalgae species Oil content(% dw)
Ankistrodesmus TR-87 28-40
Botryococcus braunii 29-75
Chlorella vulgaris 29
Chlorella protothecoides 15-55
chlorella 14
Dunaliella tertiolecta 36-42
Hantzschia DI-160 66
Nannochloris 31(6-63)
Nannochloropsis 46(31-68)
Nitzschia TR-114 28-50
Phaeodactylum tricornutum 31
Scenedesmus TR-84 45
Stichococcus 33(9-59)
Tetraselmis suecica 15-32
Thalassiosira pseudonana (21-31)
Crpthecodinium cohnii 20
Neochloris oleoabundans 35-54
Schiochytrium 50-77
Biodiesel from algae
Microalgae culture in
Photobioreactor
A lab scale Photo bioreactor
was installed in university of
petroleum and energy studies
for microalgae culture .

This Photo bioreactor have

controlled temperature, light
intensity, light duration, and
controlled pH condition which
is essential for higher growth
rate of microalgae.

It was observed that

microalgae need 25-30oC ,
2500-5000lux light intensity,
16:8 light/dark cycle and 7-7.5
pH.
It was observed that chlorella
have 1.6 g/liter dry wt after
12days batch culture
Microalgae was identified as
Culture of microalgae in Polybags, Glass bottle and 20
liter Plastic bottles
Harvesting and drying of Microalgae biomass

Microalgae obtained from photo

bioreactor is separated from water by
centrifugation and filtration method.

Filtered microalgae is kept in filter

clothe to separate remaining water
and then dried under sunlight.

Dried microalgae were ground with

motor and pestle as much as possible
to get powder form.

Powder form of microalgae is stored

in freezer until it is used for oil
extraction.

Oil is extracted by solvent extraction

method
 Oil extraction using Organic solvent
Principle: Polar Organic solvents will dissolve
all the total lipids/fats present in the cell.

Organic Solvent: Chloroform and methanol (2:1)

Extraction method: Soxhlet Apparatus

Procedure:

Heating at 60-65C for 6-8 hrs

Fixed oil collected after evaporating the

residual solvents using Rota-vapor
Algal Oil recovery
Oil content of chlorella sps. was examined
for different strains of chlorella and found
8-20%
Algae biodiesel
 Culture of microalgae in Polybags, Glass bottle and 20
liter Plastic bottles
UPES Research team is also trying to culture microalgae at natural
temperature and light conditions.

We successfully grown microalgae at environmental condition e.g. at

atmospheric temperature.

It was observed that chlorella species grown in polybag type photo

bioreactor have less growth rate in comparison of glass bottle.

Microalgae is also grown in 20 liter plastic bottle under at

atmospheric temperature in waste water and it was observed that it
also show good growth rate (0.9 g/l after 12 days batch culture).

Chlorela culture is also grown successfully in upes waste water and

biogas waste water.
algal diesel vs. crop-derived biod
According to one estimate, to replace worldwide petroleum use with
biofuel, 10.8 million square miles of farmland with the highest yielding
biofuel crops is needed, but unfortunately we have only 5.8 million
square miles of farmland on earth
Based upon the photosynthetic efficiency and growth potential of algae,
theoretical
calculations indicate that annual oil production of >30,000 l or about
200 barrels of algal oil per hectare of land may be achievable in mass
culture of oleaginous algae, which is 100-fold greater than that of
soybeans,
The use of amicroalgae
major feedstock currently
as energy crops being used for due
has potential, biodiesel in the
to their
USA
easy adaptability to growth conditions, the possibility of growing
either in fresh or marine waters and avoiding the use of land
As a consequence, oil crops can provide only small quantities of
biodiesel for blending with petroleum diesel at a level of a few
percent, but they are incapable of providing the large quantities of
biodiesel that are necessary to eventually displace all
petroleum-sourced transport fuels
 Land space requirements
LAND required for biodiesel
LANCO2 Synthesizer Compared with Biofuel Crops
MBD

production
MBD CO2 Synthesizer Comparedro
Land Use - Number of Ha required to produce Productivity on 1000 Ha of land per year (tpa)
100,000 tonnes of oil
1000000
Corn 715000

Cotton 360000 100000

Soy 250000

Canola 100000 10000

Jatropha 53000
1000
Palm 19600

Algae 120
100

The table top left graphically illustrates the negligible land space requirements of an MBD CO 2 fuel
synthesiser to produce 100,000 tonnes of oil compared with biofuel crops. Not only is the land foot-print
small, the oil yield of an MBD CO2 fuel synthesiser is much higher than biofuel crops as shown top right.

Australias major power stations have significant low value land buffers surrounding them. Depending on
the size of the power station the land required to sequestrate its CO 2 emissions (50% - daylight hours and
up to 80% if artificial light is used) will be in excess of 1000 ha. [Note: To date MBD has only explored
growth of algae under sunlight.]

79
 Microalgae vs. Jatropha
India requires nearly 200 billion gallons of biodiesel annually at the
current rate of consumption, if all petroleum-derived transport fuel is to
be replaced with biodiesel. To produce this quantity of biodiesel from Jatropha
oil, Jatropha would need to be grown over an area of 952 million
acres (384 million ha)
This is more than 100% of all geographic area of the India

An average annual productivity of microalgal biomass in a well designed

production system located in a tropical zone (37.8 of equator) can be in the
region of 1.535 kg/m3/day. At this level of biomass productivity, and if an
average oil content of 30% dry weight in the biomass is assumed, oil
yield per hectare of total land area is near about 123 m3 for 90% of the
calendar year. (About 10% of the year is unproductive, because the
production facility must be shut down for routine maintenance and
cleaning.) This amounts to a microalgal biodiesel yield of 98.4
m3/ha. Therefore, producing 200 billion gallon of biodiesel that India
needs as transport fuel, would requirewould require microalgae to
be grown over an area of 13 million acres (5.4 million ha) or only
2% of the India geographical area. This is a feasible scenario even if
 Closed Cycle Biomass Carbon
Management
Fuel Carbon
b on Open Cycle Carbon
(100%)
Car )
%
l ue 00
F (1

Clean
Gases

Fuel Carbon
(60%)

Gross Calorific Value Algae Biomass as Fuel Source (40% Fuel Carbon)
measures 27 MJ/kg for
our current microalgae
Closed Cycle Carbon
Management
300 tons algae biomass/ha/y
1/3 of biomass = oil
100 tons of oil /ha/y
At Hazelwood = 1000 ha = 100 Mt of oil
1 kg of biomass = 0.5 kg of C
27% of CO2 is C 555 Kt of CO2 fixed/y
1L of diesel = 2.67 Kg of CO2
Ref: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/420f05001.htm

Biodiesel reduces net emissions of CO2 by 78.45%

Ref:NREL/SR-580-24089 UC Category 1503

1L of Biodiesel will save 2.09 Kg of

CO2
100 Mega L of Biodiesel will save 209 Kt of CO 2
 MBDs CO2 to energy Process Overview

Waste Nutrient
Sunlig N, P, K, S
Sewerage
ht Waste from feedlot
Waste water
Supplemented with Algae Oil 35%
Commercial fertilizer
Oil Options
Include
-Biodiesel Production
-Plastic Production
-Jet fuel, other fuels

Algae Meal 65%

Meal Options Include
-Feed for livestock industry
-Feed for fertilizer
CO2 Emitter Algae Synthesiser -Biomass for bio-plastic
Greenhouse gases from emitter Farm production
collected at the base of the flue Land (low value buffer) -Biomass for electricity production
gas chimney and piped to MBD Each Million tonnes of CO2 e
Algae Farm.
sequestered produces the following
(CO2 NOx SOx)
outputs:
e.g.
Power Plant , 550,000 tonnes of algae:
Gas Plant & Refineries, 180,000 tpa algae oil
100% of algae used as value added
Cement Kiln, 370,000 tpa nutritious livestock
feed product
LNG Facility, O2 H2 Typically, 1 ton C02 emitted per MWhr
Coal Seam Gas Production,
Other processes O generated
Require ~2 tons of C02 per 1 ton of
Water Washing (optional)
Mist washing- a fine mist of water onto
surface of biodiesel
Water needs to be small droplets and hit
the surface at a low velocity

Drain water as misting continues

Water droplets pick up impurities on their
way through the biodiesel

Fuel will eventually get clear as water

drains out

Turn off water and allow the fuel to settle

Water is a contaminant in biodiesel and

is sometimes difficult to remove
Bubble Washing (optional)
Gently add 1 part water to 2-3 parts
biodiesel
Add an aquarium air stone with air pump
Can use copper tubing with pin-sized holes drilled
all over
Bubble air through the water
Batch-based, not continuous flow

Air bubbles allow indirect agitation of the

two fluids
Tiny amounts of water picked up and
carried through the biodiesel, picking up
contaminants
Bubble bursts at the surface and drops
the water, which picks up more of the
soaps and contaminants on its way back
down
After about 6 hours of this washing, the
air is stopped, water is drained, more
fresh water is added, and the process
repeats
Repeated 3 times until the water
Waste Water Disposal
When water-washing, the water needs to be
disposed of

Treat with a mild acid until neutralized

Acids- vinegar, citric acid, ascorbic acid
Use pH indicator from titration
Neutralized water can be safely dumped down the drain

Creates lots of waste, depending on how you

water wash

Tests performed August 2008 indicated that

although the biodiesel does appear clearer after
water-washing, it passes the 3/27 test without it
Emulsions
Emulsions are a mixture
that occur when a water
layer and an oil layer refuse
to separate

Can occur during the water-

wash phase
Cause- aggressive washing
Biodiesel becomes
"imprisoned" in soap spheres
Relating to un-reacted oils,
poorly separated biodiesel/by-
 Emulsion Corrections
Soap spheres can be
broken apart
Freezing the whole
emulsion
Lowering the surface
tension using a solvent like
alcohol
The alcohols (methanol in
glycerin) are a readily
available solvent
Much easier than freezing
a large emulsion solid.
Drawback- Expensive to
freeze 55 gallons
Heating batch to 50-60C
Adding ordinary table-salt,
sodium chloride can work
Dilute the salt in water first
Salt is an impurity that you
should be washing out
instead of washing in
Adds halogens to water
supply
An acid-quench will also
break an emulsion or
prevent it forming
Might disguise a processing
problem that the emulsion
would reveal
Always do a wash-test first
Glycerin Treatment
MeOH Removal

MeOH is still present and needs to be

removed before it can be used
NOT a co-product, just used in excess
Common misconception that MeOH is produced

Distillation- separation of liquids based on

boiling points
MeOH has a lower boiling point than glycerin
Turns to vapor first
Can be condensed, collected and reused
Glycerin turns thicker and darker
Heating element, not flame, is used
Glycerin Co-Product
Other Uses

Health supplement
Increases blood volume
Enhances temperature regulation
Improves exercise performance in the heat
Helps "hyperhydrate" the body by increasing blood volume
levels and helping to delay dehydration

Other uses
Glycerine is also a source of lecithin
fat emulsifier and a vital component of all cell membranes in the
body
Tocopherol (vitamin E)
Skin moisturizer, lotion, deodorant, makeup, toothpaste,
sweets and cakes, pharmaceuticals and patent medicines,
paper manufacturing, printing ink, textiles, plastics, and
electronic components
Microwave rocess
Impact of process quality on
biodiesel
Potential FIE /Engine
Problems
Potential FIE /Engine
Problems
Emission Advantage with Bio-
Diesel
Performance Study - Some
Highlights
Material Compatibility
Results
Emission standards for light
vehicle
Variation of thermal efficiency with
BHP of diesel, biodiesel and blends.

Brake Thermal
Efficiency is
defined as break
power of a heat
engine as a
function of the
thermal input from
the fuel. It is used
to evaluate how
well an engine
converts the heat
from a fuel to
mechanical energy
This may be
possibly due to
better combustion
and additional
lubricity
Variation of BSFC with BHP of diesel,
biodiesel and blending.

A close look at the

graphs indicates
the variation of
BSEC with respect
to BMEP shows an
improvement for
neat biodiesel
(B100) operation.
This
is due to the low
calorific value of
biodiesel
Variation of HC with BHP of diesel,
biodiesel and blending
Unburned
hydrocarbon (HC) is
also an important
parameter for
determining the
emission behavior
of the engines. It is
observed from the
graph (Fig. 6) that
neat biodiesel
(B100) gives
relatively lower HC
as compared to the
neat diesel. This is
because of better
combustion of
biodiesel
inside the
combustion
Variation of CO emission with BHP at
constant speed of 1500 rpm
Variation of NOx with BHP of diesel,
biodiesel and blending.

These lower NOx

emissions
may be due to
lower temperatures
of the combustion
chamber
using biodiesel
Variation of smoke opacity (%) with
load, of biodiesel and blending.

The degree to which the

visibility or passage of light is
reduced by the smoke is
called the smoke opacity. In
context of diesel emissions,
the more smoke in exhaust
will have the more opacity
and vice-versa. Opacity is
increased due to the
increased density of smoke
particles in the exhaust. The
particles restrict the light
passing through them, which
causes the opacity.
Problems encountered during Tests with
neat Vegetable Oil in Lab Studies

Clogging of Fuel Lines

Carbonization of injector tips

Deposit on Cylinder Walls

Poor Ignition and combustion due to improper

atomization

Lube oil Contamination