AU2021104040A4

AU2021104040A4 - A method and system for producing biodiesel

Info

Publication number: AU2021104040A4
Application number: AU2021104040A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ankit Patil; Sushant Satputaley
Original assignee: Rathore Vikas; Singh Yogesh
Current assignee: Rathore Vikas; Singh Yogesh
Priority date: 2021-07-10
Filing date: 2021-07-10
Publication date: 2022-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-10

Abstract

In the present innovation the thermal analysis is offered to reduce the reversible energy loss in a system of horizontal natural porous base drain which has been considered as the couette flow. The mathematical modeling of the mentioned flow system has been generated in form of the nonlinear differential equations. Also, the shear stress and rate of heat transfer are calculated for both the walls of the drain. The numerical and graphical outcomes exhibit the growth in the presence of inclined magnetic field and frictional heat or other thermal parameters are the significant reason for entropy generation. Therefore, by regulating these thermal parameters, the reversible energy loss can be sufficiently reduced in this horizontal porous based channel drain system and consequently the efficiency of the system may be increased with low cost. 115 DRAWINGS u*=uo T4 T y*=H 0.9, M-05, 1.0, 1.5 0.7 qw` 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 FIGURE1I FIGURE 2(a) L.2 0.97=.,0L 0-0b ,0.4 0.5 O 0.4 0,2~ (L30. 0 0.2 04 0.6 0.8 1 0 0.2 0A 0.6 0.8 y l- y . FIGURE 2(B) FIGURE 3(a)

Description

DRAWINGS

u*=uo T4 T y*=H 0.9, M-05, 1.0, 1.5

0.7

qw` 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8

FIGURE1I FIGURE 2(a)

L.2

0.97=.,0L 0-0b ,0.4

O 0.5

0.4 0,2~

(L30. 0 0.2 04 0.6 0.8 1 0 0.2 0A 0.6 0.8 y l- y .

FIGURE 2(B) FIGURE 3(a)

A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING BIODIESEL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to biodiesel plant. In more details, the present invention relates to a method and system for producing biodiesel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Biodiesel is a kind of diesel fuel made from long-chain fatty acids obtained from plants or animals. Chemically, combining lipids such as animal fat (tallow), or another vegetable oil with an alcohol to produce a methyl, ethyl, or propyl ester is how it's usually produced.

Biodiesel is produced through multiple processed and chemical reactions of transesterification and esterification.

The process produces not just biodiesel, but also soap, glycerol, excess alcohol, and trace quantities of water as byproducts. To fulfill the requirements, all of these byproducts must be eliminated, although the sequence in which they are removed is process-dependent. Glycerol has a higher density than biodiesel, and this characteristic difference is used to isolate the majority of the glycerol co-product. Methanol that remains after distillation is usually collected and reused. Soaps can be gotten rid of or turned into acids. The gasoline is also cleaned of any remaining water.

However, the existing system and plants used for producing biodiesel is very expensive and time taking. In addition, the existing systems require high maintenance and electrical supply.

In the view of the forgoing discussion, it is clearly portrayed that there is a need to have a method and system for producing biodiesel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure seeks to provide a single pump-based method and system configured for producing biodiesel.

In an embodiment, a system for producing biodiesel is disclosed. The system includes a methanol mixing tank configured for treating methanol with catalyst using a portable stirrer, wherein methanol is pumped from a methanol storage tank to the methanol mixing tank via a pump. The system further includes a reactor equipped with a hot water jacket in continuation with the methanol mixing tank for mixing treated methanol with oil by employing a pump at 50-52degree temperature, wherein the oil is received from an oil tank in a controlled manner through a valve. The system further includes a plurality of separating tanks configured with water and steering for separating glycerol, waste water and biodiesel which is further transferred in separate movable tanks for collecting separated glycerol, waste water and biodiesel, wherein multiple times reactions are performed after transferring reaction oil to separating tanks using the pump.

In an embodiment, water is heated in a hot water tank through a heater which is further circulated by using the pump in the jacket that contains stainless steel tubes.

In an embodiment, the whole circulation process is based on single pump.

In an embodiment, material of the methanol mixing tank selected herein is a plastic to avoid corrosion due to catalyst, wherein the catalysts are selected from caustic soda, potassium hydroxide.

In an embodiment, the biodiesel and glycerol is separated in 10 to 12 hours after settling down of glycerol layer, wherein glycerol layer is removed though a conical bottom tank.

In an embodiment, the biodiesel inside the separating tank is washed using water and portable stirrer until clean water comes out from the separating tank.

In an embodiment, a wet scrubber is engaged with the system for absorbing fumes released from methanol mixing tank upon mixing the methanol with catalyst.

In another embodiment, a method for producing biodiesel is disclosed. The method includes treating methanol with catalyst in a methanol mixing tank using a portable stirrer. After completing the operation in methanol tank the valve will open and the mixture in methanol tank will go to mixing tank by using gravity. The method further includes heating water in a hot water tank using heater thereby transferring hot water into jacket containing tubes via a pump. The method further includes heating oil acquired from an oil tank thereby mixing treated methanol and catalyst with hot oil inside a reactor equipped with a hot water jacket by employing a pump at 50-52degree temperature. The method further includes transferring mixture of oil and methanol into separating tanks by pump for separating biodiesel and glycerol and thereafter washing biodiesel with water for producing pure biodiesel.

In an embodiment, the methanol is mixed with catalyst through an agitator configured with the methanol mixing tank.

In an embodiment, paint mixer are used for steering biodiesel during washing.

An object of the present disclosure is to develop a biodiesel plant system for producing single pump-based biodiesel.

Another object of the present disclosure is to develop a biodiesel plant system that consumes very less electrical energy.

Yet another object of the present invention is to develop expeditious and cost-effective method for producing biodiesel.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for producing biodiesel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for producing biodiesel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 3 illustrates an architecture of a system for producing biodiesel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to "an aspect", "another aspect" or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises...a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, a block diagram of a system for producing biodiesel is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system includes a methanol mixing tank 102 configured for treating methanol with catalyst using a portable stirrer 104. Methanol is pumped from a methanol storage tank to the methanol mixing tank 102 via a pump through a connecting pipe.

In an embodiment, a reactor 106 is equipped with a hot water jacket 108 in continuation with the methanol mixing tank 102 for mixing treated methanol with oil by employing a pump at 50-52 degree temperature. The oil is received from an oil tank in a controlled manner through a valve which is manually operated by the user and can be controlled automatically through mechanical controlling system.

In an embodiment, a plurality of separating tanks 110 configured with water and steering for separating glycerol, waste water and biodiesel which is further transferred in separate movable tanks 112 for collecting separated glycerol, waste water and biodiesel. Multiple times reactions are performed after transferring reaction oil to separating tanks 110 using the pump.

In an embodiment, water is heated in a hot water tank through a heater which is further circulated by using the pump in the jacket 108 that contains stainless steel tubes.

In an embodiment, the whole circulation process is based on single pump, which requires less electrical supply.

In an embodiment, material of the methanol mixing tank 102 selected herein is a plastic to avoid corrosion due to catalyst. The catalysts are selected from caustic soda, potassium hydroxide. In an embodiment, the biodiesel and glycerol is separated in 10 to 12 hours after settling down of glycerol layer, wherein glycerol layer is removed though a conical bottom tank.

In an embodiment, the biodiesel inside the separating tank is washed using water and portable stirrer 104 until clean water comes out from the separating tank.

In an embodiment, a wet scrubber 114 is engaged with the system for absorbing fumes released from methanol mixing tank 102 upon mixing the methanol with catalyst.

Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for producing biodiesel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At step 202, the method 200 includes treating methanol with catalyst in a methanol mixing tank 102 using a portable stirrer 104.

At step 204, the method 200 includes heating water in a hot water tank using heater thereby transferring hot water into jacket 108 containing tubes via a pump.

At step 206, the method 200 includes heating oil acquired from an oil tank thereby mixing treated methanol and catalyst with hot oil inside a reactor 106 equipped with a hot water jacket 108 by employing a pump at 50-52degree temperature.

At step 208, the method 200 includes transferring mixture of oil and methanol into separating tanks 110 for separating biodiesel and glycerol and thereafter washing biodiesel with water for producing pure biodiesel.

In an embodiment, the methanol is mixed with catalyst through an agitator configured with the methanol mixing tank 102.

In an embodiment, paint mixer are used for steering biodiesel during washing.

Figure 3 illustrates architecture of a system for producing biodiesel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 includes a methanol storage tank, a methanol mixing tank 102, a portable electric stirrer, a wet scrubber 114, a pump, a hot water tank, a reactor 106 tank, a hot water jacket 108 for heating, an oil tank, a water tank, separating tanks 110, a glycerol tank, a water tank, and a biodiesel tank.

The methanol received from the methanol storage tank is mixed with catalyst inside a methanol mixing tank 102. The reaction will be exothermic and it releases fumes which will go to the wet scrubber 114 for environmental point of view. The mixing tank is of plastic to avoid corrosion problem due to presence of caustic soda and water.

Initially, the methanol is added into the methanol mixing tank 102 and then catalyst is added into it. The catalyst such as NaOH/KOH. However, the NaOH is added in the system due to fewer requirements and it is also cheaper and is easily available in the market.

After adding the catalyst , an agitator is used to mix the solution which is attached to the methanol mixing tank 102. The catalyst NaOH is soluble in methanol thereby requires less time in stirring.

The heating type hot water heating system having stainless steel reactor 106 with conical flask bottom. Water is heated in a hot water tank using heater than hot water is transferred into the jacket 108 containing tubes through a pump. The heat transfer rate is dependent upon the flow speed of hot water into tubes. The pump is attached to the mixing tank of the reactor 106 for mixing oil and methanol mixture, and pump is also used for transferring oil to the separating tanks 110 for further process.

The oil is heated at 50-52 degree Celsius and then adding methanol and catalyst mixture to the mixing tank of the reactor 106 using gravity. After adding the mixture from the methanol mixing tube, the pump will start for mixing of oil with mixture of methanol mixing tank 102. After sometime, the mixing will stop and the content of reactor 106 will be transferred to the separating tanks 110.

If 1000 liter of oil is present in reactor 106, then 20-25 percent of methanol and catalyst mixture is required for producing biodiesel.

Washing of biodiesel in separating tanks 110 is performed by deploying water and portable stirrer 104 until and unless the clean water comes out from the separating tanks 110. Due to density difference, water comes at bottom which easily removed. The glycerol and waste water is collected in wheel tanks as shown in Figure 3.

The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM

1. A system for producing biodiesel, the system comprises:

a methanol mixing tank configured for treating methanol with catalyst using a portable stirrer, wherein methanol is pumped from a methanol storage tank to the methanol mixing tank via a pump; a reactor equipped with a hot water jacket in continuation with the methanol mixing tank for mixing treated methanol with oil by employing a pump at 50-52degree temperature, wherein the oil is received from an oil tank in a controlled manner through a valve; and a plurality of separating tanks configured with water and steering for separating glycerol, waste water and biodiesel which is further transferred in separate movable tanks for collecting separated glycerol, waste water and biodiesel, wherein multiple times reactions are performed after transferring reaction oil to separating tanks using the pump.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein water is heated in a hot water tank through a heater which is further circulated by using the pump in the jacket that contains stainless steel tubes.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the whole circulation process is based on single pump.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein material of the methanol mixing tank selected herein is a plastic to avoid corrosion due to catalyst, wherein the catalysts are selected from caustic soda, potassium hydroxide, and alcohol.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biodiesel and glycerol is separated in 10 to 12 hours after settling down of glycerol layer, wherein glycerol layer is removed though a conical bottom tank into the movable tank, the movable tanks are glycerol tank, waste water tank, and a biodiesel tank.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biodiesel inside the separating tank is washed using water and portable stirrer until clean water comes out from the separating tank.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, comprises a wet scrubber for absorbing fumes released from methanol mixing tank upon mixing the methanol with catalyst.

8. A method for producing biodiesel, the method comprises:

treating methanol with catalyst in a methanol mixing tank using a portable stirrer; heating water in a hot water tank using heater thereby transferring hot water into jacket containing tubes via a pump; heating oil acquired from an oil tank thereby mixing treated methanol and catalyst with hot oil inside a reactor equipped with a hot water jacket by employing a pump at 50-52degree temperature; and Transferring mixture of oil and methanol into separating tanks for separating biodiesel and glycerol and thereafter washing biodiesel with water for producing pure biodiesel.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the methanol is mixed with catalyst through an agitator configured with the methanol mixing tank.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein paint mixer are used for steering biodiesel during washing.

Figure 2