What is the process of making biodiesel?

What is the process of making biodiesel?

Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products – methyl esters and glycerin. Methyl esters is the chemical name for biodiesel and glycerin is used in a variety of products, including soap.

What chemicals are used to make biodiesel?

Biodiesel is made by reacting vegetable oil or animal fat with an alcohol (methanol or ethanol) and a catalyst (sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide). Sulfuric and hydrochloric acids are also used in biodiesel production. Methanol, the catalysts, and the acids are toxic chemicals.

What is transesterification in biodiesel process?

Transesterification is a chemical reaction used for the conversion of triglycerides (fats) contained in oils, (Feedstocks) into usable biodiesel. Biodiesel produced by the process of transesterification has a much lower viscosity, making it capable of replacing petroleum diesel in diesel engines.

How many types of biodiesel are there?

Biodiesel can be blended and used in many different concentrations. The most common are B5 (up to 5% biodiesel) and B20 (6% to 20% biodiesel). B100 (pure biodiesel) is typically used as a blendstock to produce lower blends and is rarely used as a transportation fuel.

What are the advantages of biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a domestically produced, clean-burning, renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. Using biodiesel as a vehicle fuel increases energy security, improves air quality and the environment, and provides safety benefits.

Why biodiesel is known as green fuel?

As described in Biodiesel Benefits and Considerations by The U.S. Department of Energy, the use of biodiesel reduces the greenhouse gas emission because the carbon dioxide that is produced during burning is balanced by the carbon dioxide that is absorbed while cultivating the crops used in the manufacture of the …

How is methanol used in biodiesel?

The transesterification process reacts methanol with the triglyceride oils contained in vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled greases, forming fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerin. Generally, 20 pounds of methanol is used for every 100 pounds of biodiesel produced.

What are the different methods for biodiesel production?

Novel Methods in Biodiesel Production Introduction. The depletion of fossil fuels and their effects on environmental pollution necessitate the usage of alternative renewable energy sources in recent years. Supercritical process. Supercritical method is one of the novel methods in biodiesel production. Microwave assisted process. Ultrasound assisted process. Conclusion.

What is the manufacturing process for biodiesel?

Manufacturing Process First, dissolve the lye into the methanol. Shake or swirl until all the lye has dissolved. This may take 10 minutes. It is normal that the temperature rises. The glycerin will settle out at the bottom. After 8 to 24 hours the sedimentation is complete and the glycerine can be drained off. What remains is raw biodiesel.

Is biodiesel a profitable business?

Starting a biodiesel production company is capital intensive and it also requires serious planning and hard work but the fact remains that it is indeed a profitable business to go into and it is still very much open for more investors to come in.

What is the plant used to make bio-diesel?

Corn. Corn is considered as the main source of ethanol-based biofuel.