Biodiesel Technical Issues and Benefits

What is Biodiesel? Derived from the oil of seed crops and algae The amount of oil extractable annually from different crops/plants Soybean: 40 to 50 US gal/acre Rapeseed: 110 to 145 US gal/acre Mustard: 140 US gal/acre Jatropha: 175 US gal/acre Palm oil: 650 US gal/acre Algae: 10,000 to 20,000 US gal/acre

Transesterification Process of: Purifying oil Reacting it to Alcohol (methanol or ethanol) In the presence of a catalyst (KOH or NaOH) End products are Glycerol and Esters (which is the biodiesel) 100 lbs of oil + 10 lbs of methanol → 100 lbs of biodiesel + 10 lbs of glycerol

Soybean Processing Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Algae Harvesting Biodiesel from Algae: Algae and Biodiesel

Biodiesel is Not New

Benefits Reduced overall emissions Increased Lubricity Non-flammable Biodegradable Non-toxic Net-gain energy At least +40,000BTU net from Soybean processing Since biodiesel oil producing plants consume CO2, a circle is completed Renewable Resource EERE-DOE

Bio vs. diesel EERE-DOE

Technical Issues Biodegradable In oxidative conditions Water breaks down and feeds micro-organisms Solvent Will eat away at certain rubbers found in older vehicles and in concentrations higher than B20 Should not be stored for more than 6 months Requires certain upgrades with higher blends Enlarged Fuel Filters Must be preheated to keep from gelling in cold climates

Costs Still Expensive EERE-DOE National Averages for September 2005

Compare Biodiesel Extremely safe storing Biodegradable Non-flammable Non-toxic Lubricating Increase in NOx Decrease in power (10%) CNG/LPG Requires pressurized tanks Gaseous Flammable with air Asphyxiate Reduced NOx emissions Clean Burning Cheaper Non-lubricating

Questions?