Evaluation of the practicality of home biodiesel production

Abstract
In this report, the production of biodiesel in a domestic dwelling will be investigated. The methods of production, economic viability and the consequences of using such a fuel are also examined under the scope of the study. A number of journals are investigated as well the availability of equipment and supplies necessary. Conclusions drawn indicate that biodiesel is a sustainable energy that can be simply produced at a residential level and used for either transport or heating, with little or no adjustments. Supplies are readily available for any persons will to invest time and some initial capital.

Page | i

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT 1. 2. INTRODUCTION PRODUCTION OF BIODIESELS 2.1 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Methodology I 1 1 2 4 6 7 8 8 9 10

ECONOMICS OF HOMEMADE BIODIESEL USAGE HOMEMADE BIODIESEL DISCUSSION CONCLUSION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE WORK

REFERENCES APPENDIX A

1. Introduction
Since the industrial revolution at the turn of the 19th century, society has heavily relied on the worlds finite amount of fossil fuels for their use. In the consumption of this fuel an unfortunate by-product is produced; the emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. These gases can have harmful effects on human life and damaging to the environment. Even with this damaging effect, mass consumption and heavy reliance on such fuels is commonplace around the world. Fossil fuel reserves are depleting at a rapid level, which leaves a potential shortcoming in energy supply for civilisation at large. For a country with a high dependence on imported fuels, such as Ireland, coupled with a lack of indigenous energy, the consequences of shortages of fuel could be devastating. Without adequate alternatives, a country will be in venerable position to inflating costs and a lack of control over its emissions. A viable solution, which can be implemented on an individual level, can be the production and usage of biodiesels. These can be manufactured from resources at a domestic dwelling. By producing energy at home it is possible to move away from carbon intensive fuels Biodiesels and biodiesel blended with conventional diesel have been used for over 100 years as a sustainable fuel in the automotive industry. This fuel can also be used in home heating with a domestic boiler; research into the effectiveness of this has been carried out by Macor and Pavanello (2009) and shows similar positive economic and environmental effects. This study will research the practicality of home biodiesel production. Research will be based on available literature and approximate calculations determining the cost and viability of such an endeavour.

2. Production of Biodiesels
Biodiesel can be produced from a number of renewable sources. These include vegetable oils such as rapeseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil. Animal fat and waste cooing oil can also be used for biodiesel production. Biodiesel, also known as fatty acid 1|Page

methyl ester (FAME) is produced from transesterification of the monoalkyl esters in these sources, with the addition of an alcohol, usually methanol. Transesterification is the reaction between an ester of one alcohol and a second alcohol to form an ester of the second alcohol and an alcohol from the original ester. An example of this reaction is using methyl acetate and ethyl alcohol, to form ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol. This process is using driven by a catalyst such as a base or acid. In biodiesel the results are a substance with characteristics quite similar to petroleum-derived diesel, mainly in the cetane number, energy content, viscosity and phase changes (Lin et al. 2011). For sale there a number of standards which biodiesel must conform to, the European one being EN 14214. These lay out a set of specific ranges in which the characteristics of the biodiesel must adhere to, an example of which is shown in Appendix A. The methods used in industry for production of biodiesel, to meet these standards, can be significantly different from methods used in home production. Methods for carrying out the transesterification reaction can include: the supercritical process, ultrasonic methods, the common batch process and currently being researched is a microwave method. Continual high pressures and temperature are required to maintain these catalyst-free methods. Obtaining these pressures and temperatures in a domestic environment is not considered to be safe and thus the recommended method of production is by the transesterification of the vegetable oil or animal fat.

2.1

Methodology

There are a number of steps required in order to ensure the production of safe and clean biodiesel. The materials chosen for the chemical reactions are due to their high availability and suitability for production needs. An overview of the steps involved is:

i.)

Preparation: The procurement of a suitable bio-lipid, such as vegetable oil or

animal fallow. This may need to be filtered to remove any pieces of dirt, unwanted material or lumps. This may take several hours due to the high viscosity of the substance. This may need to be sampled to determine the levels of free fatty acids (carboxylic acids) using titration.

ii.)

Reactants: The catalyst needs to be dissolved in a suitable alcohol. This base

component, usually sodium hydroxide, is mixed with the alcohol, usually methanol. Additional sodium hydroxide is added for the transesterification process.

iii.)

Production: The alcohol/catalyst mix is then mixed with the bio-lipid in a closed
reaction vessel. The reaction mix must remain above the boiling point of alcohol to speed up the reaction. This process may take from 1 8 hours to complete. The fuel must be keep closed off from the atmosphere to prevent loss of alcohol.

iv.)

Purification: Glycerol, which is the main constituent of any lipid, which is formed
is denser than the fresh biofuel and can gravity separated. Flash evaporation or distillation can be used to remove any excess alcohol. The fuel may also need to be washed in warm water to remove any soap formed and other by-products of the reactions.

A summary of the method described can be seen in Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1 Biodiesel production diagram (Hielscher 2011)

3. Economics of Homemade Biodiesel

The rising cost of oil has driven up the price of petrol and diesel respectively. The fluctuations of prices have largely been as a consequence of activities in oil producing countries, outside the control of oil consuming countries such as Ireland. To combat this, efforts are underway to increase the diversity and security of energy supplies as well the generation of sustainable production sources. Security of energy supply means that energy can be adequately, affordably and reliably supplied. Many countries employ biodiesel, as an indigenous fuel source, to increase energy security. Currently the cost of biodiesel is relatively high; this is due in part to the expensive fuel source which is used, virgin oil. However as fuel prices push up due to inflation, taxes and

cost of mining increases, biodiesel will become more viable than ever. The case will be further strengthened with an increased focus on emissions and depletion of the ozone layer. Although it may not be cost effective now, in the future when the cost of energy and oil rises, it will become more viable. However it is also suggested that as the world population grows, demand for food will increases and push up the price of crops which may be used for biodiesel production. The choice between producing crops and livestock for producing biodiesel or for producing foodstuff will not be a clear-cut one. To run a single car may require 50 litres of biodiesel per week. To produce this requires approximately 50 litres of waste oil (cost can vary, assumed free), 10 litres of methanol (around 13), a small amount of catalyst (less than 10) and water. Waste oil is considered most suitable for biodiesel production as it is the cheapest to acquire and can provide satisfactory fuel. This can be found as waste from restaurants and takeaways. Pure vegetable or plant oil can also be used but may cost more as it will have to be bought in bulk; this cost approximately 24 for 20 litres (Frylite 2011). With pure vegetable this equates to around 1.66 per litre and with the use of free waste oil, 0.46. These calculations exclude the price of once off equipment used for production. The cost of such equipment can vary depending on whether it is prepared as a D.I.Y job or by buying it as a kit, as shown in Figure 3.1. The kit shown costs approximately 2000 (Home Biodiesel Kits 2012) and is widely available. Building a similar model at home may reduce this cost. Other supplies such as methanol can be bought in bulk from supplies. Ethanol can be used but this is more expensive to purchase. The catalyst, sodium hydroxide, can be found in a number of products as caustic soda, used for cleaning and unblocking drains.

Figure 3.1 Home biodiesel production kit (Home Biodiesel Kits 2012)

4. Usage of Homemade Biodiesel

There have been a number of papers published regarding the benefits and downfalls of using biodiesel; these indicate reductions in Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions and Particulate Matter (PM) emissions (Xuea et al. 2011). Conversely, a majority of studies show a loss of power when using biodiesel but with a significant increase in economic performance. There is also a concern for raised levels of NOx emissions which may lead to damage on seals hoses in a car. The slight decrease in power may be attributed a lower heating value, but a higher viscosity helps fuel spray penetration, thus improves airfuel mixing (Xuea et al. 2011). When looking at biodiesel usage in a residential boiler, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) contained in the PM were found to be 13 times less toxic (Macor and Pavanello 2009).

No modifications need be made to a petroleum diesel automobile or domestic boiler for the use of biodiesel. Blending pure biodiesel with conventional can offer substantial gains in power and keep emissions at a low level. Many suppliers now have a 5% mix of biodiesel in their product for this reason. Studies have also shown that there may be slight long term

effects on an engine when compared to conventional diesel, but these are considered negligible. Regular replacement of certain parts, cleaning of deposits and regular servicing can ensure a long life using biodiesel. Operation below certain temperatures can also prove to be problematic, as is recorded in Xuea et al. (2011).

In certain countries there are laws in place regarding the usage of such fuel; in Ireland for example using green diesel is illegal and subjective to heavy fining. However in England there are a number of laws in place to try and regulate its safe and environmentally friendly usage.

5. Discussion
It has been shown that if a suitable means of obtaining a bio-lipid, such as waste vegetable oil or animal tallow, the production of a biodiesel can be a low carbon alterative to conventional fuels. However it is reasonable to assume that there is a limited amount of waste oil available to an area and not all participants can use this method. If oil prices continue to rise, using pure vegetable oil will soon become an economically viable method. Once in production, storage and transportation of these mixtures may also be an issue. The equipment used and the chemicals required will take up space and may need to be isolated to ensure safety. Disposable of the excess soap mix and glycerol should not be an issue as these are non-toxic and water soluble.

A practical solution for a hotel, with accompanying restaurant, would be to use its own waste oil in heating of the building. This would allow a business, with the fuel source generated onsite, be converted and used onsite, with little effort. In using domestically produced biodiesel for an automobile, certain adaptions may need to be made to the vehicle to accommodate the fuel change. In particular the fuel filter may need to be changed more frequently due to residual parts in the mixture. In an oil burner, no modifications to use are necessary. In conjunction to an ease of use, there are a number of enhancements linked to biodiesel and biodiesel blends.

Claims of reduced toxic and harmful emissions are noted in a number of journals, while others dispute this. Nonetheless, biodiesel is a means of increasing diversity and security of

energy and can be produced at an individual level. Most the necessary supplies are readily available and there are a number of tutorials available as to how to maximise return from homemade biodiesel.

6. Conclusion
Biodiesel is a sustainable, indigenous alternative to conventional diesel; it can be produced in a domestic environment to meet the needs of automotive and oil-burning heating activities. In light of recent global economic hardships, cheaper alternatives to conventional petroleum diesel should be widely welcomed to the market. Producing such fuel in a domestic dwelling can be a relatively straightforward task with low risk if the correct precautions are taken and hazards observed. With an initial investment and some sourcing of materials, there should be an exceptionally short payback time and the possibility to sell excess biodiesel for profit if the system was utilised correctly. The task of producing biodiesel in a domestic dwelling is a straightforward and worthwhile venture.

7. Recommendations for future work

Further work may need to be carried on the on-going effects of biodiesel on the appliances using it. There may be failure of parts before what is expected and these ought to be exposed. There is also an opportunity for studies to be carried out on the availability of waste oil for home production.

References
B&D 2007 Biodiesel B100-ASTM [online], available: http://biodiesel-

buy.com/BD%20SPECS/B100-ASTM.pdf [accessed 25/03/2012] (2011) Prices [online], available:

Frylite

http://www.frylite.com/vegetable-oil-

supply/prices/ [accessed 25/03/2012] Hielscher (2011) Ultrasonics Improve Biodiesel Process Efficiency [online], available: http://www.hielscher.com/ultrasonics/biodiesel_processing_efficiency.htm [accessed 25/03/2012] Home Biodiesel Kits (2012) Biodiesel Kits, Processors and Equipment [online], available: http://www.homebiodieselkits.com [accessed 25/03/2012]

Lin, L., Cunshan, Z., Vittayapadung, S., Xiangqian, S. and Mingdong, D. (2011) 'Opportunities and challenges for biodiesel fuel', Applied Energy, 88(4), 1020-1031 Macor, A. and Pavanello, P. (2009) Performance and emissions of biodiesel in a boiler for residential heating, Energy, 34(12), 2025-2032

Macor, A. and Pavanello, P. (2009) 'Performance and emissions of biodiesel in a boiler for residential heating', Energy, 34(12), 2025-2032 Xuea, J., Grift, T.E. and Hansena, A.C. (2011) Effect of biodiesel on engine performances and emissions Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15 (2011) 10981116

Appendix A

Figure A Sunflower Oil Biodiesel test (B&D 2007)