Oil From [the] SoilTeam 9

May 9th, 2009

Outline• Project Selection• Tasks Accomplished• Challenges Overcome

• Lessons Learned• Acknowledgements• Questions

Project Selection• Provided global industrial perspective• Utilized and built upon prior coursework

- Separation Processes

- Reactor Design

- Fluid Flow & Momentum Transfer Phenomena

• Received suggestions from Professor Sykes• Waste vegetable oil from food operations• Biological conversion of CO2 to ethanol by sunlight

Our Design Process1. Research

a. What is Jatropha Curcas?b. How is biodiesel produced?c. Why Jatropha?

• Grown in South America, Africa, India

• Ideal for poor soil and water conditions

• Seed’s mass is 30%- 40% oil

What is Jatropha Curcas?

1 meter

How is Biodiesel Produced?• Common process for various sources

– Soybeans– Recycled cooking oil

• Base-catalyzed transesterification

Why Jatropha?Property Conventional

DieselJatropha Biodiesel

Density (kg/m3) 850 880

Viscosity (mm2/s) 2.60 4.80

Flash point (˚C) 68 135

Water Content (%) 0.020 0.025

1000 kg Jatropha seeds = 92 gallons biodiesel

Our Design Process1. Research2. Develop

a. Process design with bench-scale trials

Bench-Scale DesignSt

art

Whole Jatropha Seeds Crushed Jatropha SeedsHexane-Seed SlurryHexane evaporated with heat

Acid-CatalyzedTransesterification

Base-CatalyzedTransesterificationSeparated Glycerol

& BiodieselPurified Biodiesel

Our Design Process1. Research2. Develop

a. Design overall process with bench-scale trialsb. Pilot plant simulation of chosen process

• Simulated a biodiesel production pilot plant• Produces 2 million gallons annually

UniSim Design

The Process

Seed Oil Extraction Treatment & Conversion(Transesterification)

Hexane & Methanol Recovery

Step 1: Extraction

To Step 2

Step 2: Treatment & Conversion

From Step 1

Treatment

Conversion

Step 3: Hexane and Methanol Recovery

Hexane Recovery Methanol Recovery

Our Design Process1. Research2. Develop3. Overcome

a. Address emerging challengesb. Evaluate existing components

Challenges Overcome• Troubleshooting UniSim design

• Unexpected & undesired experimental outcomes

• Accounting for entire footprint– Equipment sizing & material science– Economic analysis– Responsible design

Responsible Design• Chemical safety

– Flammability– Working conditions– Safe handling

• Waste management– Hexane & methanol recycling– Seed cake incineration– Sale of glycerol

• Value of teamwork– Communication– Individual strengths/weaknesses

• Project management– “You break it, you bought it”

• Future work: Commercialize

Lessons Learned & Future Work

Thank You To…

• Professor Sykes, Faculty Advisor• Professor Wentzheimer, UniSim• Dr. David Dornbos, Industrial Consultant• Rich Huisman, Equipment• Michigan State University, Equipment

Thank You!