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    Methanol Recovery System

    Uploaded by

    Joao Jesus
    This document summarizes a project to recover methanol from biodiesel and glycerin production waste and to study the effects of adding waste glycerin to compost samples. The methanol recovery process involves heating biodiesel and glycerin, circulating it through a reactor under vacuum to increase methanol diffusion out of solution and into a condensing column for collection. Initial trials recovered 2030mL of methanol in 15 minutes but further testing is needed to optimize the process. For the composting study, samples were incubated and measured for CO2 levels as an indicator of microbial health over 8 days. The next phase will determine suitable amounts of waste glycerin to add and observe its effects on the microbial community.

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    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Methanol Recovery System

    Uploaded by

    Joao Jesus
    94 views17 pages
    This document summarizes a project to recover methanol from biodiesel and glycerin production waste and to study the effects of adding waste glycerin to compost samples. The methanol recovery process involves heating biodiesel and glycerin, circulating it through a reactor under vacuum to increase methanol diffusion out of solution and into a condensing column for collection. Initial trials recovered 2030mL of methanol in 15 minutes but further testing is needed to optimize the process. For the composting study, samples were incubated and measured for CO2 levels as an indicator of microbial health over 8 days. The next phase will determine suitable amounts of waste glycerin to add and observe its effects on the microbial community.

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    This document summarizes a project to recover methanol from biodiesel and glycerin production waste and to study the effects of adding waste glycerin to compost samples. The methanol recovery process involves heating biodiesel and glycerin, circulating it through a reactor under vacuum to increase methanol diffusion out of solution and into a condensing column for collection. Initial trials recovered 2030mL of methanol in 15 minutes but further testing is needed to optimize the process. For the composting study, samples were incubated and measured for CO2 levels as an indicator of microbial health over 8 days. The next phase will determine suitable amounts of waste glycerin to add and observe its effects on the microbial community.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    94 views17 pages

    Methanol Recovery System

    Uploaded by

    Joao Jesus
    This document summarizes a project to recover methanol from biodiesel and glycerin production waste and to study the effects of adding waste glycerin to compost samples. The methanol recovery process involves heating biodiesel and glycerin, circulating it through a reactor under vacuum to increase methanol diffusion out of solution and into a condensing column for collection. Initial trials recovered 2030mL of methanol in 15 minutes but further testing is needed to optimize the process. For the composting study, samples were incubated and measured for CO2 levels as an indicator of microbial health over 8 days. The next phase will determine suitable amounts of waste glycerin to add and observe its effects on the microbial community.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    You are on page 1of 17

    Methanol Recovery System and Composting of waste Glycerin

    Gemini Meeh Joe Pearson Dr. Serita Frey

    Recovering excess methanol from biodiesel and glycerin


    Why we need it: Excess methanol is used to generate a complete reaction Why we need to recover it:
    Cost savings from capturing free methanol in the biodiesel and glycerin reduce the cost of biodiesel product Free methanol in biodiesel will raise flash point level above ASTM spec., must be below 300C Free methanol in glycerin may be hazardous to composting microorganisms

    Process Description
    Started with a conglomeration of plumbing parts. Wound copper tubing, and inserted it into a 4 PVC pipe Condensing column Used old Propane tank as recovery container. Whole system is under vacuum.

    Approach
    Free methanol is recovered from heated biodiesel and glycerin by circulating the solution through the reactor increases rate of methanol diffusion out of solution. Vacuum is activated (15inHg) to lower the boiling point of methanol. Air is allowed in through the base of the reactor so air bubbles can pass through the biodiesel and glycerin. This has the effect of creating more surface area for methanol vapors to leave the solution. Cold water is circulated through the PVC water jacket to cool the copper coil and cause the methanol vapors to condense. The condensed methanol is collected in the recovery container

    Results and Recommendations


    First trial of condenser run; operated for 15 minutes. 2030ml of methanol recovered. Contamination of vacuum pump oil, i.e. methanol vapors passing through the condensing column Need to install a methanol trap to collect any vapors that pass through the column. Formulate method for determining the ideal operating parameters to collect all vapors Perform further tests to determine most efficient and complete recovery process

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    Composting of Waste Glycerin


    Disposing of waste glycerin via composting is becoming an increasingly popular disposal method. The remaining methanol in the glycerin could cause problems in the microbial community of a compost system.

    Process Description
    Measured out compost into 3 samples. Put them in an incubator at 38 degree Celsius for 3 day periods. After 3 days, the samples were measured for their CO2 content using an Infrared Gas analyzer (IRGA). The amount of CO2 is a good indicator of the health and productivity of microbes.

    Approach
    Working with Dr. Serita Frey, Soil Scientist in UNHs Natural Resources department. Could not find a study like this one to refer to, so this part of the project sets baseline data for the rest of the project (e.g. when the glycerin is added to the compost samples)

    Results and Recommendations


    The following graph depicts the IRGA readings (CO2 content) for the three samples on each of the eight sampling days. Day 5, highlighted in yellow represents the reading after sample 2 was replaced with a blank. Sample 2 had an unfortunate accident. Might have skewed the data.

    Results and Recommendations


    Averge IRGA Readings
    12000

    Day 6
    10000

    Day 5

    Micrometers/meter (CO2)

    8000

    Day 3
    6000

    Day 7 Day 4

    Day 1

    4000

    Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8

    Day 2
    2000

    Day 8

    0 1 Sampling Days

    Results and Recommendations


    The next phase of the composting project is determining the amount of waste glycerin that should be added to the soil samples. If the material amounts are suitable, then this experiment should be helpful in determining the effect the glycerin has on the microbial community.

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