Biodiesel By: Dan Robel, Anthony Wilson, and Kelsey Lindberg

Diesel background Compression engine – glow plug instead of spark plug Diesel fuel is less volatile, ignites from compression Injected at 23,500 psi instead of 50 psi 20:1 compression ratio compared to 10:1

Biodiesel Background First Biodiesel plant built in Hawaii (1996) Once considered a fringe fuel Became more prominent after 9/11 and the increase in oil prices Production has increased 150x in the last 6 years

Differences between Biodiesel and conventional Diesel Biodiesel Plant, seed, animal oils Oil gets extracted Can be made from recycled cooking oil/ animal fat Transesterification Separates out glycerin Renewable sources Diesel Made from petroleum Fractional distillation Heating process separates Nonrenewable

Chemical Properties of Biodiesel Biodiesel is composed of long-chain hydrocarbons (same as diesel, petroleum) Contains an ester group Ester group: one carbon – oxygen double bond and one carbon – oxygen single bond

Making Biodiesel Transesterfication – Reacting vegetable or animal fat with short-chain alcohols (ethanol or methanol) in the presence of catalyst

Transesterfication Process 1. Combine alcohol and catalyst 2. Methoxide molecule attacks carbon atom between fatty acid and glycerol backbone 3. Fatty acid leaves glycerol backbone behind – Now have methyl ester with a methanol molecule 4. Continues until methyl ester (biodiesel) is chemically isolated Catalysts: Acidic, basic, solid, lipases, supercritical fluids

Biodiesel Pros and Cons Pros Less pollution (except NOx) Saves on nonrenewable resources Runs in standard diesel engines Lubricates engine Cleans engine Can be made from recycling oil Cons Drives up agricultural prices Can clog filters and lines More expensive

Biodiesel Pros and Cons Fuel quality- some suppliers don’t meet ASTM standards Tax Incentives- 1 cent/% made agriculturally - ½ cent/% made from recycled oil Federal and State Laws – MN mandated all diesel to have 2% Bio in 2005 Cost comparison – 1 cent/% more expensive Warranty – manufactures may only warranty up to B20 use Performance - B100 reduces max power by 5-7% (EMA) -High lubricity prevents wear and tear but acts as solvent initially -Poor cold weather performance

EROEI (1-9):1 EROEI depending on production and location Soybean Oil (1-5) Sunflower Oil (.75-9) Rapeseed (canola) Oil (1-4) Recycled vegetable Oil ( )

Emissions Reduces CO by 10% (B20), 50% (B50) Particulates by 15% (B20), and 70% (B100) Hydrocarbons by 10% (B20), and 40% (B100) Sulfates by 20% (B20),and 100% (B100) Increases NOx by 2% (B20), and 9% (B100) B20 = 20% Bio, 80% Conv. Diesel B50 = 50% Bio, 50% Conv. Diesel B100 = 100% Bio

Other uses for Biodiesel Producing Hydrogen cells for cars Cleaning up oil spills Heating homes Cleaning tools and grease Adding lubricity to diesel fuel Paint removal

Sources pros-and-cons-of-biodiesel-vs-diesel.aspx vegetable-oil/index.htm +invested NDA/documents/DFID_Report1_2012_11_04-2.pdf %20Energy%20Return%20on%20Invested%20in%20Vermont%20- %20VSJF_EROI_Report_Final.pdf