Biodiesel: An Overview of FAME and Its Blends

1. BIODIESEL Renewable Energy From Oils and Fats Clint Johnson Energy Technology and Policy University of Texas Fall 2006

2. French Fried Fuel

3. Biodiesel = FAME Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) Fatty acids taken from oils or fats Reacted with MeOH Washed, dried to remove impurities Must comply with fuel standards (U.S., European, etc.) Variety of blends, from B5 to B100 FAME

4. Chemistry of Oils and Fats Fatty acids are long- chain carboxylic acids A glycerol bonded to 3 fatty acids is called a triglyceride Oils/fats contain triglycerides and unbonded, or free, fatty acids (FFAs) A Fatty Acid A Triglyceride

5. Transesterification First observed in 1850s One main reaction for biodiesel production Exchanges an esters functional group Must be catalyzed, either base or acid R (below) is methyl, and it replaces glycerol group Viscosity is reduced significantly Transesterification

6. Feedstock Selection Material FFA Content Cost Refined oils (soybean, etc.) 0 - 1% High Waste oils (fry grease) 2 7 % Low Animal fat (lard) 5 30 % Low Yellow grease 7 30 % Moderate Brown grease > 30 % Very Low Source: Kemp, William H. Biodiesel Basics and Beyond. p. 108

7. Catalyst Selection Acid or base catalyst Base is faster, more economic With high FFA, base catalyst will produce soap Base catalyst also produces glycerol as coproduct Acid catalysis can fix the soap problem Most commercial processes use base catalysis

8. Production

9. Emissions Biodiesel reduces most problematic emissions NOx (greenhouse) emissions are increased Led to regulatory problems with TCEQ Can be addressed with NOx reducing additives Source: U.S. EPA

10. Future Biodiesel Research Processing and marketing of waste glycerin Improved FAME yields, residence times New techniques for using cheap, high FFA oils: Fischer esterification, pyrolysis, micro emulsion Engine performance testing

11. Questions?