Biodiesel at CEET

In partnership with the Louisiana Native Plant Initiative, CEET is constructing a small-scale biodiesel processor that will produce about 50 gallons per batch for use in the diesel engines at our facility, which include farm equipment and field vehicles. The biodiesel system will also be used as an educational tool for students and the general public. As more information becomes available about our system, new pictures and system statistics will be added.

The biodiesel setup shown below on the left is a 3,500 liter batch reactor in the UK. This system is capable of producing 2,500 liters (660 gallons) of biodiesel every 24 hours. The image on the right is a small scale biodiesel fuel setup that can produce 24 gallons of biodiesel at a time.

Left image from: www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/biodiesel.html Right image from: homebiokits.com/product.php?id=3

Biodiesel can be produced by following a series of fairly simple steps. First, pour the waste vegetable oil (or plant oil of your choice) into a processor or reactor. The oil is then heated to a temperature of 120-135° F. After heating, the titration level is checked with an easy to use titration kit. Lye and methanol are mixed in a separate container, then poured into the processor. The lye and methanol solution and oil are mixed to allow them to react. The fluid in the processor remains untouched for a few hours to allow the biodiesel and glycerin to separate. The glycerin is then removed from the processor. The remaining liquid in the processor is the unwashed biodiesel. This unwashed biodiesel must be washed with water. After sitting for a while, the water and washed biodiesel will separate. The water is removed from the processor. Washing the biodiesel with water can be repeated if the biodiesel is not clean enough. After the remaining water is removed, the processor contains washed biodiesel. The clean biodiesel can then be transferred to a storage tank and allowed to dry. This biodiesel is ready to be used in any diesel engine.