1. 2008 Winner Lipid chemistry expertise Analytical equipment – HPLC, TLC, Sulfur Short path evaporator for biodiesel purification Biofuel process expertise USDA Eastern Regional Research Center Bubble column reactor research Analytical lipid testing Methods of fractionation of grease Process modeling Life cycle assessment WERF funding Drexel University Sources of grease trap waste samples Database on generation of grease trap waste Knowledge of waste Management practices Use of biodiesel in fleet vehicles Russell Reid Waste Management Sources of scum grease samples Testing secondary wastewater Standardized experimental methods Evaluation of system scenarios Use of biodiesel in fleet vehicles Philadelphia Water Department Formed to research commercialization of Grease- to-Biofuel process Longitudinal study of GTW Conversion of lipids to FAME Process development Commercial feasibility EPA SBIR funding Environmental Fuel Research, LLC Research Collaboration Abstract Drexel University’s team has developed a process to extract grease from wastewater and convert it into biodiesel. Waste greases are an untapped source of high value fuel, if you can concentrate the grease, remove impurities, and achieve stringent fuel standards. Meeting these challenges produces a fuel with a lower carbon footprint than both petroleum diesel and soybean biodiesel. This poster presents results from an EPA P3 funded project and ongoing research. Drexel University Team Chemical & Biological Engineering: Prof. Richard Cairncross, Megan Hums, Cory Melick, and over 20 other students Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics: Prof. Nicolas Cernansky, Colin Stacy and over 15 other students Civil Architectural and Environmental Engineering: Prof. Mira Olson, Prof. Sabrina Spatari, and over 10 students Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fuel Tank Novel Reactor Design for Biodiesel Production CONTACT INFORMATION: Richard Cairncross cairncross@drexel.edu 215-895-2230 3141 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104 Chemical & Biological Engineering Drexel University BCR is robust for: Low-value grease feedstocks Various alcohols Elevated water content Fuel Life Cycle Biodiesel Chemistry and Research Conventional biodiesel production: Refined vegetable oils (FFA-lean triglycerides) High feedstock cost Cheap processing Alternative biodiesel production: Waste fats, oils, and greases (FFA-rich) Degraded and dirty  Low feedstock cost More difficult processing Biodiesel is a renewable fuel Can substitute for, or blend with diesel Lower emissions than petroleum diesel Domestic supply of energy Purification of Biodiesel by Short-Path Distillation Crude FOG biodiesel is Dirty High in sulfur content Difficult to separate Short-path distillation purifies biodiesel: Under high vacuum Low temperature Reduces sulfur Crude: 201 PPM Residue: 776 PPM Biodiesel: 27 PPM (ASTM grade = 15 PPM) Wastewater Small-Scale Biodiesel Plant Trap Grease Biodiesel Waste Sediments (1)Separation(2)Conversion (3)Purification Bubble Column The views expressed on this poster are not necessarily those of the EPA, Drexel University or the Collaborating Partners From Kitchen Grease Trap Waste Sediments To Sewers FFA  Biodiesel by Bubble Column Reactor What Happens to FOG (Fats, Oils and Greases) When It Goes Down the Drain? ScumGrease Rising Bubble Liquid Phase Lipids MeOH & H 2 O Vapor O R C OH FFA O RC O CH 3 FAME MeOH + H3CH3COH + HH Water O Operates above boiling temperatures Achieves >95% FFA conversion Ra Trap Grease In commercial kitchens most FOG is collected as Grease Trap Waste and is regularly pumped out. Some FOG enters sewer system and is collected as Scum Grease in Wastewater Treatment Plants Schematic of a Grease Interceptor Current Activities Evolved from EPA P3 Projects  For > 14 % Lipids FOG beats Soybean  For < 1 % Lipids FOG beats LSD Fuel energy output divided by fossil energy input Feedstock Conversion Vehicle Use Fuel Life   TRANSESTERIFICATION Meal (80%) Biodiesel (17%) Glycerin (3%) HEATING ~60 C SETTLING Raw Scum Grease Raw Trap Grease Waste (80%) Biodiesel (19%) Residue (1%) Proposed Grease-to-Biodiesel Process Hot wall Cold wall Crude FAME 201 PPM Biodiesel 27 PPM Residue 776 PPM Wipers Soybeans for BiodieselFOG for Biodiesel SanitarySewer Transfer Station Wastewater Treatment Restaurant Trap Diesel Kitchen Effluent Pumping Grease Trap Grease Disposal: Incinerator Landfill Anaerobic digester Traditional Route to Biodiesel Harvest Biodiesel Production Harvest Use for Cooking Disposal Distribution CO 2 Emissions Recycle Our process takes oils Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fuel Tank