The Diesel CrewMaking Biodiesel Fuel from Waste Cooking Oil

The Crew pictured from left to right:Adam Alexander, Thomas Voss, Michael Lubben, Angus Richeson (All chemical concentration)

ProblemThere is an increase in demand for biofuels to supplement petroleum fuels. Biodiesel from soy bean oil has become a very popular solution over the last decade; however, using soy bean oil is very expensive and gives biodiesel a high energy cost.Furthermore, many people make biodiesel at home as a hobby, and the most common catalyst results in chemical waste.

+ 3X → +

Triglyceride (Oil) Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (Biodiesel)GlycerolMethanol

SolutionThe Diesel Crew produced biodiesel from waste cooking oil from deep fryers, which is more economical, as it creates a valuable fuel from a waste. Our system uses a solid CaO catalyst that can easily be recovered and reused, resulting in no toxic waste. This catalyst is inexpensive, gives comparable reaction rates to traditional catalysts and is easy to use for a home biodiesel producer.

CaO

DesignThe Diesel Crew designed and prototyped a continuous system that cleans up the waste oil, converts it to biodiesel, purifies the product, and collects the other components to be recycled in the system.

Dewatering System

Waste Cooking Oil

Filtration

CSTR Reactor

PFR Reactor

Methanol Separation

Catalyst Separation

Glycerol Separation

Biodiesel Purification

(Polishing Column)

Final Filtration

Biodiesel Product

Methanol & Catalyst

Introduction

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