From Left: Joshua Harbert, Christian Ocier, Mitch Kenyon, Fred Thielke, Adebo Alao

Calvin College

Outline

•What – Project Overview•Why – Underlying Reasoning•How – Technical Requirements•Who – Other Potential Users•Acknowledgements•Questions

Our ProjectDesign and construct a process to convert Yellow Grease into biodiesel•Capable of processing high Free Fatty Acid (FFA) feedstock•45 gal capacity•2-stage process

Our Project

Yellow Grease is obtained from Campus Dining Services

Tentative plans for reactor•Donate to Calvin College•Campus Student Organization will operate reactor to fuel a campus commuter van

Why Are We Doing This?1. We believe that: •There is an energy crisis arising•There is no single solution

2. We also believe that the solutions will be dependent on:•Life style changes•Cultural and regional resource use•Sustainable/renewable energy

3. Education and good examples will be very importantin solving this problem

Where Does Biodiesel Come From?

Soy oil has limited potential•Soy oil costs $2.16/gal•Processed yellow grease costs between $0.91-$1.13/gal

Alternatives For Our Process?

Trap grease is an alternative to yellow grease•Contain high FFA•Difficult to collect•Difficult to process• Virtually Free

A process like ours is ideal for high FFA feedstocks

Inputs and Outputs

How We Are Doing This?

Basic Components• Reaction vessel• Filter• Polisher• Pump• Agitator• Vacuum Pump• Methanol Condenser

How We Are Doing This?

GlycerinWaste glycerin can be reprocessed and:•Produces Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol •Yields a profit of $1.34 per gallon of glycerin

Based on a study by University of Waterloo Engineering Department

Adsorption

Polymer Adsorbent

Polishing Column

Vacuum DistillationVacuum Distillation:•Pulls a vacuum on the reactor to recover the methanol and remove the water

Advantages:•Water in oil boils at ~140°C •With a vacuum it is only 60°C•Prevents fume leakage of Methanol and Potassium Methoxide, which are flammable and poisonous•Uses significantly less energy

Energy and Cost

Some data based on calculations and lab work

•$0.78/gal (free WVO)

•$1.88/gal (WVO @ $1.13/gal)

•Input energy=1.17MJ/kg

•Energy delivered=12.72MJ/kg

Who Should and Shouldn’t do This

Suitable for:•Trucks, boats, generators, personal vehicles•Most unmodified diesel engines•Most moderate climates

Not Suitable for:•Very cold environments•Older diesel engines (natural rubber parts)

Thanks and Acknowledgements

•Energy Office of Michigan •Calvin College•The University of Waterloo•Mary Jo Pulte

Questions?