Biodiesel Plants for Used Cooking-Oil, Corn-Oil, Jatropha-Oil, Camelina Oil, Fatty-Acids, and other Animal Fats and Vegetable Oils.
What is Biodiesel?
The most common form of Biodiesel is a “Methyl Ester” of Fatty Acids. It is commonly called “Fatty Acid Methyl Ester” (or FAME).
Why Biodiesel?
Refined Vegetable Oils and Animal Fats have almost the same energy value as biodiesel; hence they can be used as fuel in Diesel Engines. However, there are two major problems with using Oils and Fats as Fuel. First, the Oils & Fats are highly viscous. Moreover, the viscosity increases dramatically at lower temperatures causing flow issues. Second, the Oils & Fats have a higher melting point. This implies that they can solidify at lower temperatures causing flow issues. Converting Oils & Fats into FAME (Biodiesel) lowers the viscosity as well as melting point. There are still limits to the extent to which the melting point can be reduced but Biodiesel has more utility than Oils & Fats as a source of fuel.
What is Biodiesel Produced from?
Biodiesel can be produced either from Fatty Acids or Oils. Oils are commonly called Tri-Glycerides or “Fatty-Acid Gylcerin Esters” (FAGE).
What is Esterification?
Esterification involves a reaction of an Alcohol (such as Methanol) with Fatty Acids. The reaction produces Fatty Acid Methyl Esters. One molecule of Fatty Acid reacts with one molecule of Methanol to produce one molecule of FAME. The by-product of this reaction is one molecule of Water. The Esterification process requires an “Acid” Catalyst to facilitate the reaction.
What is Trans-Esterification?
Trans-Esterification involves a reaction of an Alcohol (such as Methanol) with Oil. Because both Oil and Biodiesel belong to Ester family, the conversion of one type of Ester (FAGE) to another type of Ester (FAME) is called Trans-Esterification. One molecule of Oil (FAGE) reacts with three molecule of Methanol to produce three molecules of FAME. The by-product of this reaction is one molecule of Glycerin. The Trans-Esterification process requires a “Base” Catalyst to facilitate the reaction.