TEAM 12:Low-Cost, Portable, Off-Grid Biodiesel

Production Plant

Team Members:James BlackSam DresserJoey KilmerMatt Mills

Faculty Advisor:Dr. Dave Cartes

Eglin AFB Sponsor:John Deep

• Biodiesel is an environmentally safe alternative to standard diesel fuel

• Diesel equivalent but processed from biological sources (vegetable oil and waste oils)

• B20 (20% Biodiesel, 80% standard diesel fuel) can be used in unmodified diesel engines

• Works as a solvent in fuel lines and fuel filters• Engine manufactures cite less engine wear as benefit

TEAM 12: Low-Cost, Portable, Off-Grid Biodiesel Production Plant

Project BackgroundProject Background

Semester Goals metSemester Goals metWash Tank AgitationMethanol Recovery SystemFinal Design Size ConstraintsChemical AnalysisPro-E ModelingParts Ordering and Price ListConclusion

TEAM 12: Low-Cost, Portable, Off-Grid Biodiesel Production Plant

TEAM 12: Low-Cost, Portable, Off-Grid Biodiesel Production Plant

Wash Tank AgitationWash Tank Agitation

• 1st Idea: Bubble Wash

• 2nd Idea: Agitation Wash

• Time

• Conclusion: Agitation Method

TEAM 12: Low-Cost, Portable, Off-Grid Biodiesel Production Plant

Methanol RecoveryMethanol Recovery• Material: Copper Pipe Aluminum Housing

• Thermal Analysis

• Power required vs Power lost

Final Design Size ConstraintFinal Design Size Constraint• 5’ 8” Trailer

•Easy Latch down

•Cleaning accessible

•Easy Disassemble

Chemical AnalysisChemical Analysis•Main Ingredients

•Feedstock•Methanol•Sodium hydroxide (Lye)

•We are going to use waste vegetable oil vs. straight vegetable oil

• Waste vegetable oil is cheaper, but it has to be processed.

•Two choices for lye•Sodium hydroxide vs. potassium hydroxide•We are going to use sodium hydroxide because it is cheaper and easier to acquire.•Potassium hydroxide is better because it dissolves in methanol much easier, but it is expensive and harder to acquire.

Pro Engineering

•Trailer Weight/ Tow load•Methanol Recovery

Pro Engineer DrawingsPro Engineer Drawings

Parts and Price ListParts and Price List•Finned Strip Heating Element - $50.46

Quantity: 6Style A: 38 Watts/in212.9 AmpsOverall Length: 17.875 inFin Length: 13.125 inCenter to Center Length: 16.875 inSKU # 3575K46

•Reaction Tank/Oil Holding Barrel - $87.15

Quantity: 230 gallonsTop OD: 19.25 inOutside Height: 28.75 inGauge, Top/Body/Bottom/Ring: 18/18/18/12

Heating Calculations

MathCAD CalculationsMathCAD Calculations

Heat lost from barrel

MathCAD CalculationsMathCAD Calculations

Power Calculations

ConclusionConclusionDesign CompleteSystem ConcludedPower Generation ConcludedParts List CompleteFuture work

Parts OrderingBargain Parts