Technicality Of Bio Diesel Industry

Physical Characteristics:

Specific Gravity	0.87 to 0.89
Kinematic viscosity	@ 40 C 3.7 to 5.8
Cetane Number	46 to 70
Higher heating value (btu/lb)	16,928 to 17,996
Sul style="line-height: 2.0;"fur, wt%	0.0 to 0.0024
Cloud point C	-11 to 16
Pour Point C	-15 to 13
Iodine number	60 to 135
Lower heating value (btu/lb)	15,700 to 16,735




Raw Material:

Particul style="line-height: 2.0;"ar	Diesel	Safflow	Sunflower	Soya
Density	0.835	0.9	0.915	0.925
Calorific Value KJ/Kg	42,636	38,038	37,486	37,528
Cetane Number	>40	37	37	37
Boiling C	>150	349	351	350
% O weight	>0	11.65	11.64	11.61



Trans-esterification Process
TriGlycerides (TGs) are converted to DiGlycerides (DGs) and biodiesel.
Then DiGlycerides are converted to MonoGlycerides (MGs) and biodiesel.
Finally MonoGlycerides are converted to biodiesel and Glycerene is the byproduct on completion.


Catalyst:
• Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH, Caustic Soda).
Or
• Potassium Hydroxide (KOH, Caustic Potash).
• These two are hygroscopic.
• Absorb water from the atmosphere.
• Usually come in three grades.
• Flakes and 5mm pearls.
• Half pearls are 96-97%
• Small pearls (1-2 mm) are 99% +, but more expensive.
• Any one can be used


Qualoty Of Catalyst
• Basis NaOH quantity of 3.5 grams.
• Extra added due to Free Fatty Acids (FFA)
• Excess requirement calcul style="line-height: 2.0;"ated by titration.
• Excess FFA leads to soap formation.
• FFA shoul style="line-height: 2.0;"d be as low as possible.
• Flakes and 5mm pearls.



Methanol

• Stoichiometric quantity is usually said to be 12.5% methanol by volume.
• 125 milliliters of methanol per liter of oil.
• Excess methanol ranges between 75ml and 125 ml per liter of oil.
• Excess FFA leads to soap formation.
• Total amount of methanol of 200-250ml per liter of oil.



Reclaiming Excess Methanol

• Methanol boils at 64.7 C.
• Starts vaporizing well before it reaches boiling point.
• Methanol does not form an a zeotrope with water.
• Relatively pure methanol can be recovered.
• Pure enough to reuse in the next batch.



Manufacturing Process For BioDiesel

• 90% reaction is complete in 1hour.
• Allow mixture to settle after 1 hour.
• Drain all Glycerin formed.
• Run reaction for 3 more hours.
• Reaction is complete..
• Allow settling of Glycerene and remove in it.
• Dry wash



Storage Of BioDiesel

• 90% reaction is complete in 1hour.
• It is recommended to store biodiesel in clean, dry and approved tanks.
• Underground storage is preferred.
• Can be stored in open with proper insul style="line-height: 2.0;"ation, heating.



Handling of BioDiesel

• Fire fighting measures to be followed as per its fire hazard classification.
• Biodiesel shoul style="line-height: 2.0;"d be handled with gloves as it may cause Mild irritation in soft skin



Environmental and Health Effects

• Use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine resul style="line-height: 2.0;"t in substantial reduction of Unburned
• Hydro Carbons.
• Carbon Monoxide
• Particul style="line-height: 2.0;"ate matter
• However, Emissions of nitrogen dioxides are slightly increased.



Properties Of Biodiesel

• Specific gravity 0.88 compared to 0.84 for diesel.
• Has higher cetane number than diesel.
• Has higher viscosity than diesel.
• Distillation characteristics are quite different from that of diesel.
• Flash point of biodiesel is around 160C.
• Cloud Point, Pour Point and Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) are higher than diesel (Problem in Winter).



Others Problems

• Free Glycerin can build up at bottom of storage tank and vehicle fuel tank.
• High levels of free methanol in biodiesel cause accelerated deterioration of natural rubber seals and gaskets. .
• Water content shoul style="line-height: 2.0;"d be <500 ppm.
• Ash can cause filter plugging an or injector deposits.
• Soluble metallic soap, un-removed catalysts and other solids are possible sources of sul style="line-height: 2.0;"fated ash in BioDiesel.