Biodiesel is a free energy source that can be produced almost anywhere. Many farms in the United States of America make biodiesel by using leftovers from corn cutting. Biodiesel is favored because you can run a car on it without needing any special engine, a regular diesel can use biodiesel. The cost is very low for production, it costs only a fraction of what gasoline would cost. Biodiesel is made from methanol, oil and sodium hydroxide, the preparation of this mixture is very hazardous because of the inflammable quality of the mixture.
Many writers also touch upon this topic, books such as “From Fryer to Fuel Tank” by Joshua Tikell are best sellers of this field, they contain in depth information about this subject.
The main reason biodiesel is made at home is because of the availability of all the materials in the house and the easy preparation of the substance. Biodiesel making also needs a few external components such as pumps and a tank.
The process of home making biodiesel is easy but long.
The first step is to collect the materials you will need a mixing vessel (generally an old one), containers (1000ml, 100ml and 10ml), a scale, gloves and a thermometer. Next you heat the oil to 120F or 50 C. Measure the oil into half liter increments. Measure out the amount of methanol to be used (20% of oil). Pour lye into the container which already has methanol and hot oil. Use a blender or a mixing vessel and mix the mixture violently. Allow the biodiesel to settle for a few minutes. You will see a dark layer of glycerin at the bottom, drain the glycerin out and leave the biodiesel to rest for a few days. This biodiesel is not useable.
Bio diesel is a quick way to make fuel with minimal ingredients and in a few days. This biodiesel can be used to run cars, make soaps and many other uses.
In conclusion the making of biodiesel at home is the answer to our future fuel problems.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
What is Biodiesel Centrifuge?
With the cost of regular, fossil fuel-based, diesel passing $4.419 per gallon, diesel-dependent drivers across the U.S. are feeling a painful financial pinch, and economy-minded tinkerers are brewing their own biodiesel fuel from used cooking oil.
Demand for biodiesel as a viable petrochemical alternative is growing exponentially.
Traditional "garage-style" production methods such as settling tanks, filters and similar methods are slow, expensive, and cannot meet growing demand. In such a scenario, a Centrifuge for the Biodiesel manufacture becomes of great help.
A centrifuge can be used for continuous separation of:
1. Pre-treatment of feedstock to separate solids, water, degumming, and free-fatty acid process from feedstock. Glycerin separation- Make EN/ASTM specifications on free glycerin right out of the centrifuge, prior to wet or dry washing.
2. Water wash separation- Separate free water from the biodiesel. In some cases, achieve EN/ASTM spec. on moisture without the use of a dryer or evaporator.
3. Dry Wash solids separation- to separate magnesium silicate continuously with no filter media to blind, and less labor-intensive.
4. Purification of glycerin- for separation of catalyst/salts and FFA’s.
There is simply no better way to make quality biodiesel quickly than teaming biodiesel reactors with the biodiesel centrifuges. The units are high capacity and are designed to work 24 hours a day for year after year. They are designed to be affordable as well as efficient. A great purchase for any biodiesel business, and at a price as cheap as settling tanks, thus making them a "no brainer" purchase.
The centrifuges are specifically designed for instantaneous and continuous separation of biodiesel/glycerin, as well as pre-treatment separation of water, oil and solids from waste vegetable oils. New centrifuges are CE-approved, with all stainless steel construction generating over 6,000 x G-force!
Flow rates of centrifuges are available from 2000 L/hr - 100,000 L/hr. Manual clean or automatic self-cleaning machines are also available at various locations.
A biodiesel centrifuge is more efficient when separating glycerin from biodiesel. Centrifuges can immediately increase production output by decreasing production lead times. What takes many hours for gravity to separate down to EN/ASTM specifications, a centrifuge can separate instantly in seconds.
Biodiesel centrifuges are ways of making the biodiesel production process happen faster. Under most circumstances biofuel has to "settle" for 12-24 hours to make sure the glycerin is fully out of the biofuel. This process is not convenient for many of those involved in the production of biodiesel though, and so many of them invest in a biodiesel centrifuge.
The settling process uses one of nature’s gifts to us - gravity. The value of the gravity used by settling is 1G (one time gravity).
A biodiesel centrifuge is a mechanical device that spins the glycerin and other impurities out of bio diesel (the same way a washing machine rotates to dry clothes when on the "spin" cycle). By spinning at very high speed our biodiesel centrifuges can reach up to 40,000G (forty thousand times gravity) and so can achieve the settling process that normally requires one day in just a few seconds. Our biodiesel centrifuges can separate the glycerin from biofuel at the rate of up to several thousand litres per hour (one US gallon = 3.785 litres). Thus Biodiesel Centrifuges are indispensible accessories of a Biodiesel producing system.
Demand for biodiesel as a viable petrochemical alternative is growing exponentially.
Traditional "garage-style" production methods such as settling tanks, filters and similar methods are slow, expensive, and cannot meet growing demand. In such a scenario, a Centrifuge for the Biodiesel manufacture becomes of great help.
A centrifuge can be used for continuous separation of:
1. Pre-treatment of feedstock to separate solids, water, degumming, and free-fatty acid process from feedstock. Glycerin separation- Make EN/ASTM specifications on free glycerin right out of the centrifuge, prior to wet or dry washing.
2. Water wash separation- Separate free water from the biodiesel. In some cases, achieve EN/ASTM spec. on moisture without the use of a dryer or evaporator.
3. Dry Wash solids separation- to separate magnesium silicate continuously with no filter media to blind, and less labor-intensive.
4. Purification of glycerin- for separation of catalyst/salts and FFA’s.
There is simply no better way to make quality biodiesel quickly than teaming biodiesel reactors with the biodiesel centrifuges. The units are high capacity and are designed to work 24 hours a day for year after year. They are designed to be affordable as well as efficient. A great purchase for any biodiesel business, and at a price as cheap as settling tanks, thus making them a "no brainer" purchase.
The centrifuges are specifically designed for instantaneous and continuous separation of biodiesel/glycerin, as well as pre-treatment separation of water, oil and solids from waste vegetable oils. New centrifuges are CE-approved, with all stainless steel construction generating over 6,000 x G-force!
Flow rates of centrifuges are available from 2000 L/hr - 100,000 L/hr. Manual clean or automatic self-cleaning machines are also available at various locations.
A biodiesel centrifuge is more efficient when separating glycerin from biodiesel. Centrifuges can immediately increase production output by decreasing production lead times. What takes many hours for gravity to separate down to EN/ASTM specifications, a centrifuge can separate instantly in seconds.
Biodiesel centrifuges are ways of making the biodiesel production process happen faster. Under most circumstances biofuel has to "settle" for 12-24 hours to make sure the glycerin is fully out of the biofuel. This process is not convenient for many of those involved in the production of biodiesel though, and so many of them invest in a biodiesel centrifuge.
The settling process uses one of nature’s gifts to us - gravity. The value of the gravity used by settling is 1G (one time gravity).
A biodiesel centrifuge is a mechanical device that spins the glycerin and other impurities out of bio diesel (the same way a washing machine rotates to dry clothes when on the "spin" cycle). By spinning at very high speed our biodiesel centrifuges can reach up to 40,000G (forty thousand times gravity) and so can achieve the settling process that normally requires one day in just a few seconds. Our biodiesel centrifuges can separate the glycerin from biofuel at the rate of up to several thousand litres per hour (one US gallon = 3.785 litres). Thus Biodiesel Centrifuges are indispensible accessories of a Biodiesel producing system.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
How does Biodiesel Systems Work?
Production methods of Biodiesel are generally of great significance as everything depends on the efficiency of the producing systems. Here are a few ways in which it works.
The most common process being the Batch process. Care is taken to monitor the amount of water and free fatty acids in the incoming biolipid. If the free fatty acid level or water level is too high it may cause problems with soap formation and the separation of the glycerin by-product downstream. The Catalyst is then dissolved in the alcohol. This is done by the use of a standard agitator or mixer. The alcohol/catalyst mix is then charged into a closed reaction vessel and the biolipid (vegetable or animal oil or fat) is added. The system from here on is totally closed to the atmosphere to prevent the loss of alcohol. The reaction mix is kept just above the boiling point of the alcohol to speed up the reaction. Under normal conditions the reaction rate will double with every 10 °C increase in reaction temperature. Excess alcohol is normally used to ensure total conversion of the fat or oil to its esters.
The glycerin phase is much denser than biodiesel phase and the two can be gravity separated with the help of a centrifuge. Once the glycerin and biodiesel phases have been separated, the excess alcohol in each phase is removed with a flash evaporation process or by distillation. Care must be taken to ensure no water accumulates in the recovered alcohol stream. Once separated from the glycerin, the biodiesel is sometimes purified by washing gently with warm water to remove residual catalyst or soaps, dried, and sent to storage.
An alternative, catalyst-free method for transesterification uses supercritical methanol at high temperatures and pressures in a continuous process. In the supercritical state, the oil and methanol are in a single phase, and reaction occurs spontaneously and rapidly.
Ultra- and High Shear in-line or batch reactors allow production of biodiesel continuously, semi- continuously, and in batch-mode. This drastically reduces production time and increases production volume. Ultra – Shear, up to three sets of rotor and stator which converts mechanical energy to high tip speed, high shear stress, high shear-frequencies. The reaction takes place in the high-energetic shear zone of the Ultra- and High Shear mixer by reducing the droplet size of the immiscible liquids such as oil or fats and methanol.
In the ultrasonic reactor method, the ultrasonic waves cause the reaction mixture to produce and collapse bubbles constantly. This cavitation provides simultaneously the mixing and heating required to carry out the transesterification process.
The Microwave method is one in which microwave ovens are used to provide the heat needed in the transesterification process. The microwaves provide intense localized heating that may be higher than the recorded temperature of the reaction vessel.
These are basically how the Biodiesel systems work to produce the alternative energy source such as Biodiesel which might prove to be very crucial in the near future.
The most common process being the Batch process. Care is taken to monitor the amount of water and free fatty acids in the incoming biolipid. If the free fatty acid level or water level is too high it may cause problems with soap formation and the separation of the glycerin by-product downstream. The Catalyst is then dissolved in the alcohol. This is done by the use of a standard agitator or mixer. The alcohol/catalyst mix is then charged into a closed reaction vessel and the biolipid (vegetable or animal oil or fat) is added. The system from here on is totally closed to the atmosphere to prevent the loss of alcohol. The reaction mix is kept just above the boiling point of the alcohol to speed up the reaction. Under normal conditions the reaction rate will double with every 10 °C increase in reaction temperature. Excess alcohol is normally used to ensure total conversion of the fat or oil to its esters.
The glycerin phase is much denser than biodiesel phase and the two can be gravity separated with the help of a centrifuge. Once the glycerin and biodiesel phases have been separated, the excess alcohol in each phase is removed with a flash evaporation process or by distillation. Care must be taken to ensure no water accumulates in the recovered alcohol stream. Once separated from the glycerin, the biodiesel is sometimes purified by washing gently with warm water to remove residual catalyst or soaps, dried, and sent to storage.
An alternative, catalyst-free method for transesterification uses supercritical methanol at high temperatures and pressures in a continuous process. In the supercritical state, the oil and methanol are in a single phase, and reaction occurs spontaneously and rapidly.
Ultra- and High Shear in-line or batch reactors allow production of biodiesel continuously, semi- continuously, and in batch-mode. This drastically reduces production time and increases production volume. Ultra – Shear, up to three sets of rotor and stator which converts mechanical energy to high tip speed, high shear stress, high shear-frequencies. The reaction takes place in the high-energetic shear zone of the Ultra- and High Shear mixer by reducing the droplet size of the immiscible liquids such as oil or fats and methanol.
In the ultrasonic reactor method, the ultrasonic waves cause the reaction mixture to produce and collapse bubbles constantly. This cavitation provides simultaneously the mixing and heating required to carry out the transesterification process.
The Microwave method is one in which microwave ovens are used to provide the heat needed in the transesterification process. The microwaves provide intense localized heating that may be higher than the recorded temperature of the reaction vessel.
These are basically how the Biodiesel systems work to produce the alternative energy source such as Biodiesel which might prove to be very crucial in the near future.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Cheap Biodiesel Equipment
Biodiesel, over the next few years can become probably one of the greatest boon to mankind’s development owing to environment friendliness that is inherent in it. It is an alternative fuel that is as useful as many other form of fuel. It is safe and made from common ingredients like seeds etc. The procedure of making the Biodiesel is simple in many ways but when it comes to large scale production, it requires equipments which are accessible in affordable prices. To make larger batches which you can actually use to fuel your vehicle, use in aircrafts and other places, then Biodiesel equipments become extremely important especially if it can be purchased by common man.
Biodiesel can be manufactured by mixing a lot of ingredients which are essentially mixed together by a mixer compartment. There might be a need for a settling compartment where the biodiesel separates from the byproduct. Sometimes this can be done right in the mixer compartment. Finally you need a holding or storage tank for the biodiesel once it is complete. Anyone can easily buy kits or processors that come with all the parts needed, including instructions on how to use the equipment to make biodiesel. Biodiesel equipment varies in price, but usually can be found affordable no matter what the costs.
The Biodiesel kits are also of significant use. It enables us to create a biodiesel processing system which will usually have to be put together to use it properly and in a more efficient manner. It will come in parts and pieces with instructions on how to put the kit together and how to produce biodiesel. There are complete Biodiesel kits assembled and ready to produce biodiesel fuel the same day available as well including a superior fuel filtering system and solid one piece steel frame.
A biodiesel processor is another equipment which is relatively cheap and comes together with the other parts. It often includes instructions on how to make biodiesel. It is probably what is needed the most in the entire manufacturing unit. A processor size is important.
Besides being able to make larger batches of biodiesel there is another reason to buy biodiesel equipment. Purchased equipment comes with built in safety features. Bought biodiesel equipment has seals and other safety features that keep fumes and hot oil from becoming a safety factor. Simple equipments like Biodiesel home brewer and backyard brewer. Books, Kits, Labware, pumps and biodiesel safety equipment are also found at cheap prices which make the overall procedure of manufacturing Biodiesel as simple as baking bread.
Such Biodiesel equipment is long lasting and offers high quality performance. This equipment has the capability of producing bio diesel from various oils like soya oil, rice bran oil, palm oil and so on. The large equipments use continuous flow technologies so that you can operate the machine without any interruption.
Additionally, using biodiesel equipment helps you ensure that the ingredients you use are safely mixed and that the whole process is done correctly. There is less room for error which could result in less than stellar biodiesel. It is highly recommended that Biodiesel be manufactured using these equipment which are although priced moderately, is of great importance and efficiency.
Biodiesel can be manufactured by mixing a lot of ingredients which are essentially mixed together by a mixer compartment. There might be a need for a settling compartment where the biodiesel separates from the byproduct. Sometimes this can be done right in the mixer compartment. Finally you need a holding or storage tank for the biodiesel once it is complete. Anyone can easily buy kits or processors that come with all the parts needed, including instructions on how to use the equipment to make biodiesel. Biodiesel equipment varies in price, but usually can be found affordable no matter what the costs.
The Biodiesel kits are also of significant use. It enables us to create a biodiesel processing system which will usually have to be put together to use it properly and in a more efficient manner. It will come in parts and pieces with instructions on how to put the kit together and how to produce biodiesel. There are complete Biodiesel kits assembled and ready to produce biodiesel fuel the same day available as well including a superior fuel filtering system and solid one piece steel frame.
A biodiesel processor is another equipment which is relatively cheap and comes together with the other parts. It often includes instructions on how to make biodiesel. It is probably what is needed the most in the entire manufacturing unit. A processor size is important.
Besides being able to make larger batches of biodiesel there is another reason to buy biodiesel equipment. Purchased equipment comes with built in safety features. Bought biodiesel equipment has seals and other safety features that keep fumes and hot oil from becoming a safety factor. Simple equipments like Biodiesel home brewer and backyard brewer. Books, Kits, Labware, pumps and biodiesel safety equipment are also found at cheap prices which make the overall procedure of manufacturing Biodiesel as simple as baking bread.
Such Biodiesel equipment is long lasting and offers high quality performance. This equipment has the capability of producing bio diesel from various oils like soya oil, rice bran oil, palm oil and so on. The large equipments use continuous flow technologies so that you can operate the machine without any interruption.
Additionally, using biodiesel equipment helps you ensure that the ingredients you use are safely mixed and that the whole process is done correctly. There is less room for error which could result in less than stellar biodiesel. It is highly recommended that Biodiesel be manufactured using these equipment which are although priced moderately, is of great importance and efficiency.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Biodiesel Business Plan
Biodiesel refers to a non-petroleum-based diesel fuel which can be used in unmodified diesel-engine vehicles. The use of Biodiesel is expected to increase in a grand scale over the next few years due to its environment-friendliness as it finds use in vehicles, railroads, aircrafts and also as heating oil. Hence the Business plan of Biodiesel becomes of great significance.
The Business plans involves full technological cycle of production: cultivation of oil seed (rape), processing them into oil and final production of biodiesel. Purpose of the business plan is mostly to attract investment in the creation of biodiesel production plant and rape cultivation farming. The plan is mostly aimed at satisfying the growing demand for Biodiesel arising due to growing concerns about levels of environmental pollution and limited supply of energy sources. The major positive, from the economic stand point, is the competitive price of the biodiesel, due to high productivity in cultivation (the best soils in the world and favorable climate) and the lowest variable and fixed costs. Biodiesel fuel notably gives the same performance as that of conventional diesel, at competitive price and ecologically safe conditions.
The Marketing Strategy involves usually : 1) Emphasizing inherent qualities of biodiesel and focus on target markets; 2) Produce high quality fuel; 3) Offer competitive price at the level of the conventional diesel fuel; 4) Create strong distribution channels to ensure stability of production; 5) Emphasizing key advantages of the product; 6) Build a relationship business: long-term relationships, not single-transaction deals with customers; 7) Focus on fuel distributors and big consumers as key target markets.
The Biodiesel Business Plan usually covers all aspects of creating and managing the biodiesel production project: organizing, financing, auditing, marketing, promoting business, solving technical and organizational problems. This is where the main plan for producing this wonderful source is laid out and the outcome is practically decided in this planning. Though the whole procedure requires quite a lot of investment sometimes ranging to 2,00,000 dollars. As the profit of the Business Plan is obviously important, a net profit of a certain period of time is also calculated during the planning (depending on the period of the Business plan). The profits of which are highly lucrative which generate a fair return to the investors in the plan and to finance future such ground breaking plans.
Although biodiesel can be marketed as an ordinary fuel it is believed that most perspective customers are farms, in-city transport companies and those who need the lowest possible pollution levels in their technological processes: warehouses, owners of generators, etc. The reasoning is the following: farms are suppliers of raw materials and can receive biodiesel as a payment, in-city transport companies feel constant pressure to reduce their fleets’ pollution levels and will be happy to buy biodiesel, other users may also need non-polluting fuel for such reasons as safety, comfort, ecological concerns. These customers will definitely choose the biodiesel against the conventional diesel, if the product pricing is approximately the same in both cases. That is why planning becomes essential in reaching out to these people.
The Business Plan is overall mostly directed towards developing better energy solutions for benefit of the society by bringing innovative technologies and unlimited supply of energy sources without damaging and polluting the environment which is unique to Biodiesel and the Business Plan is just a necessary medium to make it possible.
The Business plans involves full technological cycle of production: cultivation of oil seed (rape), processing them into oil and final production of biodiesel. Purpose of the business plan is mostly to attract investment in the creation of biodiesel production plant and rape cultivation farming. The plan is mostly aimed at satisfying the growing demand for Biodiesel arising due to growing concerns about levels of environmental pollution and limited supply of energy sources. The major positive, from the economic stand point, is the competitive price of the biodiesel, due to high productivity in cultivation (the best soils in the world and favorable climate) and the lowest variable and fixed costs. Biodiesel fuel notably gives the same performance as that of conventional diesel, at competitive price and ecologically safe conditions.
The Marketing Strategy involves usually : 1) Emphasizing inherent qualities of biodiesel and focus on target markets; 2) Produce high quality fuel; 3) Offer competitive price at the level of the conventional diesel fuel; 4) Create strong distribution channels to ensure stability of production; 5) Emphasizing key advantages of the product; 6) Build a relationship business: long-term relationships, not single-transaction deals with customers; 7) Focus on fuel distributors and big consumers as key target markets.
The Biodiesel Business Plan usually covers all aspects of creating and managing the biodiesel production project: organizing, financing, auditing, marketing, promoting business, solving technical and organizational problems. This is where the main plan for producing this wonderful source is laid out and the outcome is practically decided in this planning. Though the whole procedure requires quite a lot of investment sometimes ranging to 2,00,000 dollars. As the profit of the Business Plan is obviously important, a net profit of a certain period of time is also calculated during the planning (depending on the period of the Business plan). The profits of which are highly lucrative which generate a fair return to the investors in the plan and to finance future such ground breaking plans.
Although biodiesel can be marketed as an ordinary fuel it is believed that most perspective customers are farms, in-city transport companies and those who need the lowest possible pollution levels in their technological processes: warehouses, owners of generators, etc. The reasoning is the following: farms are suppliers of raw materials and can receive biodiesel as a payment, in-city transport companies feel constant pressure to reduce their fleets’ pollution levels and will be happy to buy biodiesel, other users may also need non-polluting fuel for such reasons as safety, comfort, ecological concerns. These customers will definitely choose the biodiesel against the conventional diesel, if the product pricing is approximately the same in both cases. That is why planning becomes essential in reaching out to these people.
The Business Plan is overall mostly directed towards developing better energy solutions for benefit of the society by bringing innovative technologies and unlimited supply of energy sources without damaging and polluting the environment which is unique to Biodiesel and the Business Plan is just a necessary medium to make it possible.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Making Biodiesel from Soybeans
From planned study and economic proofs of all countries one can conclude that the demand for crude oil will never go down but all the more increase. Everyone for a fact knows that the price of crude oil products is certainly going to go up in future. People all over the world have started looking for substitutes to meet their needs and biodiesel has come as a boon for everyone. Biodiesel is one such fuel that can be derived from many sources and making biodiesl from soybeans is on of them.
Biodiesel consists of mono alkyl esters produced from vegetable oils, animal or old cooking oil that is also a type of fat. Soy biodiesel is fuel alternative produced from soybean oil,s ince it is widely available. Biodiesel contains no petroleum diesel, but it can be blended with petroleum diesel and use freely without any hassles
Soy biodiesel can be used in diesel engines with little or no modifications at all. Soy biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the soybean oil. The process gives two products: methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (used to make soap). The byproducts can be separated and only biodiesel can be used.
As compared to other methods of producing biodiesel, producing biodiesel from soybean oil is more of an advantage.
· Environment friendly - Soy biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel and other forms of biodiesel. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and soot, which results in less amount of pollution. The use of biodiesel does not increase the CO2 level in the atmosphere, since growing soybeans consumes also CO2. Biodiesel is also more biodegradable than conventional diesel.
· Better lubricant - Lubrication tests have demonstrated the lubrication advantage of biodiesel.
The production of soy-based biodiesel has a positive energy balance, due to the high energy value of ester-based feedstock's, the low-energy requirements of the conversion process, and the nitrogen-fixing characteristic of soybean.
If we go into the details of the process of making biodiesel from soybeans we can break up the process into –
· Process of transesterification. It involves the mixing of methanol, sodium hydroxide, the latter acting as the catalyst and also an oil is mixed which in this process is soybean oil.
· A reaction takes place with the catalyst making the reaction fast.
· The reaction yields out methyl esters, which is the scientific name for biodiesel and glycerin.
· Now both of them are separated and both of them can be utilized.
· Glycerin a byproduct can be used in the manufacture of soap and other products.
Biodiesel is biodegradable and nontoxic when used in its pure form – B100. For the 20% and lower blends, the diesel fuel portion of the blend determines the toxicity and biodegradability, which in turn determines the capacity of it.
Production of biodiesel will lead to a better world for everyone and making biodiesel from soybeans is one of the numerous ways that can help.
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