Author
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Haas, Michael |
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Wagner, Karen |
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McAloon, Andrew |
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Foglia, Thomas |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2004 Publication Date: 10/1/2004 Citation: Haas, M.J., Scott, K.M., Mcaloon, A.J., Foglia, T.A. 2004. Alternate feedstocks and new approaches to improve the economics of biodiesel [abstract]. Canadian Section of the American Oil Chemists' Society. p. 4. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Semi-refined and refined vegetable oils are the predominant feedstocks for the production of biodiesel. However, their relatively high cost renders the resulting fuels unable to compete economically with petroleum-derived fuel. We are investigating the production of fatty acid methyl esters from less expensive feedstocks and via unconventional approaches. Thus, a method was developed to convert soapstock, a byproduct of edible oil refining that is substantially less expensive than refined oils, into biodiesel. The resulting fuel met accepted quality specifications, and was demonstrated to perform effectively in a heavy duty test engine. In an attempt to simplify biodiesel production, we have examined the possibility of producing simple fatty acid alkyl esters by the direct transesterification of oil-bearing materials. This could eliminate the expense and technology involved in extraction and purification of the oil prior to transesterification. The approach has been shown to achieve high efficiency transesterification of the lipids in both soybeans and meat and bone meal, the main product of the rendering industry. Computer-assisted methods have been employed to model the capital and operating costs of the production of biodiesel from soapstock and soy flakes, allowing comparison of the predicted costs of fuel production by these methods with that using refined soy oil as the feedstock. |
