Lizzy Butler ~ Stephanie Correa ~ Zinani Harriott ~ Nick Mockabee

What is Biodiesel?

• Scientifically: mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats which conform to ASTM D6751 specifications for use in diesel engines. Biodiesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with diesel fuel.

– A biofuel produced from any fat or oil through a refinery process called Transesterification

http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/biodiesel_basics/

Transesterification

Source: http://www.science.org.au/nova/113/113glo.htm & http://ezbiodiesel.com/faq.htm

Fatty Acid

Weight Percent

Mol. Wt.

Formula

Palmitic 12.0 270.46 C15H31CO2CH3

Stearic 5.0 298.52 C17H35CO2CH3

Oleic 25.0 296.50 C17H33CO2CH3

Linoleic 52.0 294.48 CH3(CH2)4CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)7

CO2CH3

Linolenic 6.0 292.46 CH3(CH2CH=CH)3(CH2)7 CO2CH3

Typical Soybean Oil Methyl Typical Soybean Oil Methyl Ester ProfileEster Profile

The average molecular weight of soybean oil methyl esters is 292.2 g

Source: http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Weight&Formula.PDF

Biodiesel is…Biodiesel is…

• BiodegradableBiodegradable

• NontoxicNontoxic

• Environmentally friendlyEnvironmentally friendly (renewable) (renewable)

• Domestically ProducedDomestically Produced

http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/biodiesel_basics/

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_benefits.html

• Registered by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)– Meets the standards of the 1990 Clean Air

Act Amendments

• Resources originate in United States– Less dependent on volatile politics of other

countries supplying petroleum resources

• Has a positive energy balance– Started at 3.2 in 1998, grew to 4.56 with

better farming, planned for 5.44 by 2015.

http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Benefits%20of%20Biodiesel.Pdf

• Biodiesel has added $4.287 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

• Biodiesel has the potential to support more than 78,000 jobs by 2012.

• Will reduce demand for imported oil from politically unstable regions.

http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Benefits%20of%20Biodiesel.Pdf

Can be mixed with Petroleum based diesel fuel; mixtures named by % of biodiesel B-20 = 20% Biodiesel & B-100 = 100%

BiodieselCan be used in existing diesel

enginesSafer than other fuels (non-toxic,

less explosive, less smell)Operates in any kind of basic engineProvides lubrication benefitsReduction in harmful emissions

http://energysources4thefuture.yolasite.com/biodiesel.php

Biodiesel Mixtures

http://www.springboardbiodiesel.com/small-scale-biodiesel-production

Production Path

http://energysources4thefuture.yolasite.com/biodiesel.php

http://energysources4thefuture.yolasite.com/biodiesel.php

Less energy released per unit

Prone to microbial development

Issues in storage and management of fuel

More expensive than normal diesel fuel currently

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-biofuels.html

Fuel Density, g/cm3

Net Heating Value Avg.,

Btu/gal. % Difference vs. No. 2 Diesel Avg.

No. 2 Diesel 0.850 129,500

Biodiesel (B100) 0.880 118,296 8.65 %

B20 Blend (B20) 0.856 127,259 1.73 %

B2 Blend (B2) 0.851 129,276 0.17 %

Average Density and Heating Value of Biodiesel and Diesel Fuel

Source:http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/BTU_Content_Final_Oct2005.pdf

http://www.thewe.cc/contents/more/archive/globalization.html

Cost of Biodiesel Cost of Biodiesel ProductionProduction

http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2007/10/report-evaluates-biodiesel-potential.arshttp://arstechnica.com/business/news/2007/10/report-evaluates-biodiesel-potential.ars

http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/EconomicImpactLECG2006.pdf

How is the USA currently using biodiesel?

Largest biodiesel market: fleet vehicles (100) Also, public transportation services – e.g. South

Orange Village Shuttles 100% Biodiesel

Future GoalsFuture Goals

Increase availability and use of biodiesel in all Increase availability and use of biodiesel in all vehicles. Offer incentives to vehicle vehicles. Offer incentives to vehicle manufacturers to support higher blends manufacturers to support higher blends (almost all current support B5).(almost all current support B5).

Provide incentives for fleets to convert to Provide incentives for fleets to convert to Biodiesel and/or Biodiesel Blends.Biodiesel and/or Biodiesel Blends.

Work with soybean industry to increase yield Work with soybean industry to increase yield of soybean crops.of soybean crops.

http://biodiesel.org/