Quality Analysis of Biodiesel

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Quality Analysis of Biodiesel

• In Cooperation with
• Environmental Youth Alliance
• UBC Sustainability Office
• By Patrick Ngan
• November 19, 2003

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Content

• Objective
• Literature Search
• Reaction
• Advantages of Biodiesel
• Production of Biodiesel
• Apparatus
• Timeline

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Objective

• To detect any indication of correlations between
  the properties of biodiesel such as viscosity,
  free glycerol, free mono-, di- and tri-
  glycerides, and moisture content.

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Literature Search

• Most literatures researched on the following
  correlations
• Emission and blends of biodiesel
• Temperature and properties of biodiesel
• Contaminates and engine performance

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Reaction

• Classified as alkyl esters
• Produced from transesterification

• Moisture should be eliminated from the sample

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Moisture

• Hydroxide reacts with alcohol and produces H2O
• H2O reacts with some esters and causes
  saponification (soap formation)
• Reduces production of methyl ester
• Consumes catalyst
• Makes recovery of glycerol more difficult

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Advantages of Biodiesel

• Used in diesel engine with no modification
• Generates net CO2 production of zero
• Zero sulfur emission
• Can be used as pure or blend fuel
• Has higher flash point than petroleum diesel
• Biodegradable

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Biodiesel Production
Condenser
Steam Trap
Loading Barrel
Batch Reactor
Washing Barrel
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Biodiesel Production
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Biodiesel Production
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Biodiesel Production
Waste Vegetable Oil
1st Sample
2nd Sample
Biodiesel
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Apparatus

• Rotary Viscometer
• Moisture Distillation Apparatus
• Gas Chromatography (GC) Apparatus

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Rotary Viscometer

• Measures shear stress of sample with a small
  motor
• Provides Flow curve (shear stress vs shear rate)
  of sample
• Slope of curve represent the viscosity

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Moisture Distillation Apparatus

• 600g of sample (700mL)
• Add heat until the water level in receiver remain
  unchanged for 30min
• Moisture
• (VH2O?H2O/msample) 100

275mm
10mL
1000mL
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GC Analysis

• Hewlett-Packard HP 5890 gas chromatograph
• Guard column with DB-5 analytical column
• Curve calibration with standard solution mixture
  of glycerol, monoolein, diolein, triolein,
  1,2,4-butanetriol, and tricaprin at known
  concentrations

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GC Analysis

• Each component in the standard solution is for
  determining a class of compounds in sample
• Glycerol ? Glycerol
• Monoolein ? Monoglycerides
• Diolein ? Diglycerides
• Triolein ? Triglycerides
• 1,2,4-butanetriol ? Internal Standard
• Tricaprin ? Internal Standard

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GC Analysis
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Data Analysis

• The data collected from experiments will be
  compiled using a statistical program, such as
  Jumpin, to detect any correlation between
  properties

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Timeline
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Question and Comments
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Transesterification

• Can be performed with acidic or basic catalyst
• Basic catalyst is usually preferred because of
  faster reaction, lower operating temperature, and
  less corrosive
• Basic catalyst (MeOH KOH KOCH3)

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Transesterification
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GC Analysis Sample preparation

• Mix 110mg sample with 70µL butanetriol, 100 µL
  tricaprin, 100µL MSTFA, and pyridine
• Let mixture sit in room temperature for 15min
• Dilute with n-heptane to 9mL

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ASTM Standard (Spec. D6751)