Week 6

FINAL PURIFICATION PROCESS DESIGN

Objectives:

• Remove glycerol as immiscible liquid
• Remove chemicals: methanol, FFAs and KOH
• Remove excess water

Process :

Separation of glycerol

Air bubble washing. http://make-biodiesel.org/Waterless-Washing/air-washing.html

Magnesol dry wash.

Drying.

Process units:

Removing glycerol using gravity

Apparatus: Separating funnel

Procedure: let glycerol settle to the bottom of the funnel, turn the tap to drain glycerol out leaving biodiesel.

Duration:

Done manually

Result: Biodiesel with methanol, FFAs and KOH

Air bubble washing - remove only methanol
Apparatus: Air pump - Aquarium pump, container

Procedure: Pump air from the bottom to get rid of methanol and release it to the atmosphere.

Duration: 75 minutes for 10 gallons.

       

             

Magnesol dry wash

Apparatus: Filter funnel & filter paper

Procedure: Pour magnesol powder into biodiesel solution. The powder will absorb impurities and settle down at the bottom.

http://www.make-biodiesel.org/Waterless-Washing/dry-wash-biodiesel-with-magnesol.html

Overall Procedure:

1.  Draining glycerol
2. Obtain crude sample - test
3. Air wash - 30s for 200ml

Method 1: 

1. Magnesol wash - 1 wt% of biodiesel
2. Centrifuge and filter to remove magnesol

Perform tests showing why putting magnesol in first is not efficient.

Method 2:

1. Water wash with stirring - 1/3 water, 2/3 biodiesel - 5 minutes
2. Drain out contaminated water

Method 3:

1. Water mixed with magnesol
2. Centrifuge and filter to remove magnesol

Final Testing:

TBD

Drying:

Electrical heating + stirring

http://www.make-biodiesel.org/Drying-Biodiesel/drying-biodiesel.html