Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Abstract:
A pilot plant for the production of biodiesel was developed and tested. The components of the plant were fabricated locally through welding, casting and machining, and assembled by bolting. The plant was tested by producing soy oil ethyl ester (SEE biodiesel), using soy oil and ethanol, with potassium hydroxide as catalyst. The test showed that, with 80.50litres of the reactants, the plant is capable of producing a maximum of 66.80 litres of biodiesel, at 60minutes of mixing time and with a performance efficiency of 82.98%. Chemo-physical properties of the biodiesel samples obtained were determined and found to fall within the range of biodiesel standard. Specific gravity of samples A, B, C (0.87, 0.88, 0.90) were little above that of reference petroleum sample (0.8377); kinematic viscosity of (3.20, 2.80, 3.70) were little below that of reference petroleum diesel (4.21), though still within the biodiesel kinematic viscosity standard of 1.9-6.0cst (ASTMD 6751). The percentage free fatty acid values of the three test samples were higher than that of the reference petroleum diesel. The cloud point and pour point obtained for the three samples are; (90C, 7oC, and 60C) and(5oC, 8oC,and 5oC), as against reference diesel (-110C and -150C) respectively. These results imply that this pilot plant is capable of being used as a biodiesel processing plant, and it can produce 200.4 litres of biodiesel in 18 hours. The purpose of this research work is to design and construct a machine that can be used to produce biodiesel locally. This will reduce the dependence on petroleum based diesel; create sustainable wealth for the biodiesel feedstock farmers. Less smoke and less soot will be the result from unburned fuel. The improved combustion efficiency will lower particulate materials and unburned fuel emissions. The pilot plant when installed in many locations in this country will reduce importation of petroleum product, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, establish new rural industry, counter labour migration to major cities, stabilizes income to farmers and develop new agricultural market.

Keywords: production, performance evaluation, biodiesel production, pilot plant

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