processing – Page 4 – Farm Energy

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Environmental Benefits of Anaerobic Digestion

The manure handling system of any farm is made up of many different components, each with a different function and purpose. An anaerobic digester, although only one component of the system, can greatly improve the environmental performance and efficiency of the overall system. The main effect of anaerobic digestion is conversion of organic matter to biogas. This conversion has many potentially beneficial environmental and management side effects.

Odor reduction

By removing organic matter, the digester reduces the organic matter-loading and …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Types of Anaerobic Digesters

Table Of Contents
Passive Systems Low Rate Systems High Rate Systems Contributors To This Article

All anaerobic digesters perform the same basic function. They hold manure in the absence of oxygen and maintain the proper conditions for methane forming microorganisms to grow. There is a wide variety of anaerobic digesters, each performing this basic function in a subtly different way. Seven of the most common digesters are described in this article. Construction and material handling techniques can vary greatly within …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Warm Climate Feedstocks for Biodiesel

Did you know the state tree of Hawaii, the candlenut tree or kukui, can produce oil for biodiesel energy? Oil palm, coconut, jatropha, croton, candlenut, and tallow tree are warm climate trees whose oil from nuts, seeds or fruits can be used to make biodiesel.

Coconuts grows in most tropical areas.

Introduction
Oil Palm
Coconut
Jatropha
Croton
Candlenut
Tallow Tree

Introduction

Although the following trees and crops are not generally grown commercially in the United States, American farmers …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Safety in Small-Scale Biodiesel Production

Introduction

Photo: Penn State Publications

Although the biodiesel manufacturing process is fairly straightforward, there are several aspects of biodiesel production that need careful attention to detail for a productive, safe, and environmentally sound practice. First, some chemicals used could pose serious risks to the operator or to the environment, unless the proper precautions are taken for storage, process safety, handling, ventilation, and use. Second, disposal of glycerol by-product and waste water generated from biodiesel production could cause environmental harm, unless …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

New Uses for Crude Glycerin from Biodiesel Production

Introduction

Glycerol (also known as glycerin) is a major byproduct in the biodiesel manufacturing process. In general, for every 100 pounds of biodiesel produced, approximately 10 pounds of crude glycerol are created. As the biodiesel industry is rapidly expanding, a glut of crude glycerol is being created. Because this glycerol is expensive to purify for use in the food, pharmaceutical, or cosmetics industries, biodiesel producers must seek alternative methods for its disposal. Various methods for disposal and utilization of this …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Biodiesel Fuel Quality

Table of Contents
Introduction Specifications Demystified Flash Point Water and Sediment Kinematic Viscosity Sulfated Ash Sulfur Copper Strip Corrosion Cetane Number Cloud Point Carbon Residue Acid Number Free and Total Glycerin Calcium and Magnesium Phosphorus Content Sodium and Potassium Oxidative Stability Cold Soak Filtration Bibliography More Topics on Biodiesel Fuel Quality

Introduction

Photo: Suzanne Paulson, Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences and the Institute of the Environment at UCLA.

For biodiesel to be sold in the market, the fuel must …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Waste Management in Biodiesel Production

Introduction

Biodiesel production does not result in a lot of waste. However, depending on the process and feedstocks use, it can produce some wastewater, minerals, resins, solids strained out of used oil and glycerin. Often, waste is not an issue for large producers because they can invest in the equipment needed to recycle and reuse some of these products. For small producers, waste disposal is often a concern.

The biodiesel industry aims for a zero discharge process. Plants that recycle …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Commercial and Large Scale Biodiesel Production Systems

Introduction

Commercial-scale biodiesel producers have many constraints beyond those which small producers need to meet. Commercial producers must satisfy the expectations of owners and/or stockholders for profitability. They must make optimal use of capital and other resources. They also have to include the cost of labor because it comes from paid employees. Small-scale producers will often ignore the cost of their time and the value of the space they devote to producing fuel.

Commercial-scale producers must also meet regulatory requirements …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Biodiesel Production Principles and Processes

Introduction

The process to make biodiesel involves a chemical reaction. This means that the biodiesel industry is a chemical industry. Those involved in making biodiesel must have a good understanding of the underlying chemistry to ensure they are making quality fuel in a safe manner.

Find these topics and many other related Farm Energy media resources at the Farm Energy Media archive.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines that is produced by chemically reacting a vegetable oil …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Mechanical Extraction Processing Technology for Biodiesel

Introduction

Oil separation, the extraction of oil from seeds or plant parts, is accomplished by mechanical pressing, sometimes followed by chemical extraction. Mechanical pressing alone does not remove all the oil from the seed. Chemical extraction uses a solvent to remove the remaining oil that mechanical press cannot. Chemical, mechanical, and solvent extraction are terms accepted and understood by the industry.

Small biodiesel businesses will likely extract oil from seeds using a mechanical method – a press that squeezes the …

Odor reduction

Contents

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction