methanol recovery system
TRANSCRIPT
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Methanol Recovery Systemand
Composting of waste GlycerinGemini MeehJoe Pearson
Dr. Serita Frey
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Process Description
Started with a conglomeration of plumbingparts.
Wound copper tubing, and inserted it intoa 4 PVC pipe Condensing column
Used old Propane tank as recoverycontainer.
Whole system is under vacuum.
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Approach
Free methanol is recovered from heated biodiesel andglycerin by circulating the solution through the reactorincreases rate of methanol diffusion out of solution.
Vacuum is activated (15inHg) to lower the boiling point ofmethanol.
Air is allowed in through the base of the reactor so airbubbles can pass through the biodiesel and glycerin.This has the effect of creating more surface area formethanol vapors to leave the solution.
Cold water is circulated through the PVC water jacket tocool the copper coil and cause the methanol vapors tocondense.
The condensed methanol is collected in the recoverycontainer
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Results and Recommendations
First trial of condenser run; operated for 15 minutes. 20-30ml of methanol recovered.
Contamination of vacuum pump oil, i.e. methanol vaporspassing through the condensing column
Need to install a methanol trap to collect any vaporsthat pass through the column.
Formulate method for determining the ideal operatingparameters to collect all vapors
Perform further tests to determine most efficient andcomplete recovery process
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Pictures
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Composting of Waste Glycerin
Disposing of waste glycerin viacomposting is becoming an increasinglypopular disposal method.
The remaining methanol in the glycerincould cause problems in the microbialcommunity of a compost system.
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Process Description
Measured out compost into 3 samples.
Put them in an incubator at 38 degreeCelsius for 3 day periods.
After 3 days, the samples were measuredfor their CO2 content using an InfraredGas analyzer (IRGA).
The amount of CO2 is a good indicator ofthe health and productivity of microbes.
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Approach
Working with Dr. Serita Frey, Soil Scientistin UNHs Natural Resources department.
Could not find a study like this one to referto, so this part of the project sets baselinedata for the rest of the project (e.g. whenthe glycerin is added to the compost
samples)
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Results and Recommendations
The following graph depicts the IRGAreadings (CO2 content) for the threesamples on each of the eight sampling
days. Day 5, highlighted in yellowrepresents the reading after sample 2 wasreplaced with a blank.
Sample 2 had an unfortunate accident.
Might have skewed the data.
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Results and Recommendations
Averge IRGA Readings
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
1
Sampling Days
Micrometers/meter(CO2)
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
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Results and Recommendations
The next phase of the composting projectis determining the amount of wasteglycerin that should be added to the soil
samples. If the material amounts aresuitable, then this experiment should behelpful in determining the effect the
glycerin has on the microbial community.
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Pictures
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