Research Collaboration

1. Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fuel Tank Research Collaboration Novel Reactor Design for Biodiesel Production Diesel Feedstock Crude FAME 201 PPM Restaurant Trap Grease O Wipers Drexel University Team Chemical & Biological Engineering: Prof. Richard Cairncross, Megan Hums, Cory Melick, and over 20 other students Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics: Prof. Nicolas Cernansky, Colin Stacy and over 15 other students Civil Architectural and Environmental Engineering: Prof. Mira Olson, Prof. Sabrina Spatari, and over 10 students O R C Disposal: • Incinerator • Landfill • Anaerobic digester Transfer Station Pumping Grease Conversion FFA Rising Bubble Fuel Life Cycle Kitchen Effluent Biodiesel O Biodiesel Chemistry and Research Hot wall + MeOH CO2 Emissions Trap Grease R Trap C H3C OH H H OH Waste Sediments Vehicle Use • Conventional biodiesel production: • Refined vegetable oils (FFA-lean triglycerides) • High feedstock cost • Cheap processing • Alternative biodiesel production: • Waste fats, oils, and greases (FFA-rich) • Degraded and dirty  Low feedstock cost • More difficult processing Small-Scale Biodiesel Plant Sanitary Sewer MeOH & H2O Vapor Abstract Drexel University’s team has developed a process to extract grease from wastewater and convert it into biodiesel. Waste greases are an untapped source of high value fuel, if you can concentrate the grease, remove impurities, and achieve stringent fuel standards. Meeting these challenges produces a fuel with a lower carbon footprint than both petroleum diesel and soybean biodiesel. This poster presents results from an EPA P3 funded project and ongoing research. FAME Wastewater Treatment Water Cold wall Residue 776 PPM What Happens to FOG (Fats, Oils and Greases) When It Goes Down the Drain? + Fuel Life  CH3 O Liquid Phase Lipids Meal (80%) Biodiesel Production Distribution Harvest Schematic of a Grease Interceptor • In commercial kitchens most FOG is collected as Grease Trap Waste and is regularly pumped out. • Some FOG enters sewer system and is collected as Scum Grease in Wastewater Treatment Plants Fuel energy output divided by fossil energy input Grease Trap Waste Biodiesel (17%) To Sewers From Kitchen  Recycle Soybeans for Biodiesel FOG for Biodiesel Harvest Sediments Glycerin (3%) Use for Cooking  For > 14 % Lipids FOG beats Soybean  For < 1 % Lipids FOG beats LSD Disposal TRANSESTERIFICATION Biodiesel 27 PPM Waste (80%) FFA  Biodiesel by Bubble Column Reactor Purification of Biodiesel by Short-Path Distillation Current Activities Evolved from EPA P3 Projects Residue (1%) Biodiesel (19%) • Crude FOG biodiesel is • Dirty • High in sulfur content • Difficult to separate • Short-path distillation purifies biodiesel: • Under high vacuum • Low temperature • Reduces sulfur • Crude: 201 PPM • Residue: 776 PPM • Biodiesel: 27 PPM • (ASTM grade = 15 PPM) Traditional Route to Biodiesel Scum Grease Our process takes oils Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fuel Tank Wastewater Proposed Grease-to-Biodiesel Process Operates above boiling temperatures Achieves >95% FFA conversion BCR is robust for: • Low-value grease feedstocks • Various alcohols • Elevated water content Raw Scum Grease Bubble Column HEATING ~60 C SETTLING • Biodiesel is a renewable fuel • Can substitute for, or blend with diesel • Lower emissions than petroleum diesel • Domestic supply of energy Raw Trap Grease Ra Trap Grease (1)Separation (2)Conversion (3)Purification CONTACT INFORMATION: Richard Cairncross cairncross@drexel.edu 215-895-2230 Chemical & Biological Engineering Drexel University 3141 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104 The views expressed on this poster are not necessarily those of the EPA, Drexel University or the Collaborating Partners