Novel supercritical biodiesel plant design & process scale-up

<p>"Current energy prices, national energy security, and global climate change fuel our momentum to find efficient advanced fuels choices. In this study, biodiesel processing, and a novel design for next generation biodiesel plants are explored. During a National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps project we identified three creative and profitable improvements to the process: 1. Incorporating Energy intensive separations and reactions 2. Utilizing Low commodity glycerol and 3. Applying process intensification principles.</p> <p>Current biodiesel processes are catalyzed processes using continuous stir reactors with distillation systems to separate material constituents. We tested a lab-scale nocatalyst supercritical biodiesel process using waste cooking oil and ethanol as feedstock. This led to the development of a scaled up modular EAC process using a non-catalyzed spiral bound plug flow reactor and advanced separation systems (ASS) to separate Free Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME)/Biodiesel (BD), glycerol and methanol.</p> <p>We investigated E. Coli to digest glycerol and make ethanol at anaerobic conditions. We have designed various primers that make this DNA. We developed a scaled-up plant that incorporates a continuous tubular reactor where heat exchangers are networked and integrated into the plant loop. A 3000 kg/day biodiesel plant will operate in a continuous operation. Seven modular nodes were envisioned, designed, and simulated using Aspen Plus software. The process nodes easily transportable and connectable. A comprehensive design package includes the HAZOP study, control narrative, P&ID, process simulation and a conceptual 3D sketch"-- Abstract, p. iii</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering

Grantor

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Author dc:creator

• Paudel, Ghana Shyam

• Biodiesel
• hybrid-energy system
• modular process
• plant design
• process intensification
• renewable
• Chemical Engineering
• Engineering

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations/3286

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsmine.mst.edu:doctoral_dissertations-4291