Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 22

 

 
 

Mechatronics System Design 
Biodiesel Production System 
 
Prepared by :  
 Group #4 
Younis Irshid Al.Mshagbeh         0057422 
Ali Mohammed Al.Shugairat      0057392 
Ahmad Hasan Al.Harasis             0057360 
Yousif Hashem Al.Zwiri                0046739 
 
 
 
 
 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 

Introduction:
In this project we will design a small scale biodiesel production system.

Biodiesel is a substitute fuel for compression-ignition (diesel) internal combustion


engines. It is produced by the transesterification of waste or vegetable oils and animal
oils, or fats with lower alcohols. Most vegetable oils can be converted into biodiesel but
the cost of the vegetable oil feedstock is now a key factor in the least cost production of
biodiesel for blending with fossil fuel diesel.

Plant oils, are far more viscous than fossil fuels which can result in poor combustion and
formation of deposits. The problems can be overcome by adapting the engine to the fuel
or, more commonly, the fuel to the engine; biodiesel.

Biodiesel has the highest energy balance (3.5) of any other fuel, meaning for every unit of
fossil energy needed to produce biodiesel, 3.5 units of energy are gained. Since it is
produced domestically, it can reduce the need for fossil fuel and improve the nation's
energy security.

The Advantages and disadvantages of BioDiesel

The advantages:

1. Bio Diesel is the most valuable form of renewable energy that can be used
directly in any existing, unmodified diesel engine.

2. Smaller Trade Deficit: Rather than importing other countries’ ancient natural
resources, we could be using our own living resources to power our
development and enhance our economies. Instead of looking to the Mideast
for oil, the world could look to the tropics for biofuels. producing more
biofuels will save foreign exchange and reduce energy expenditures and allow
developing countries to put more of their resources into health, education and
other services for their neediest citizens.
© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 1 
 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
3. Economic Growth: Biofuels create new markets for agricultural products and
stimulate rural development because biofuels are generated from crops; they
hold enormous potential for farmers. In the near future—especially for the
two-thirds of the people in the developing world who derive their incomes
from agriculture

4. Cleaner Air: Biofuels burn more cleanly than gasoline and diesel. Using
biofuels means producing fewer emissions of carbon monoxide, particulates,
and toxic chemicals that cause smog, aggravate respiratory and heart disease,
and contribute to thousands of premature deaths each year.

5. Less Global Warming: Biofuels contain carbon that was taken out of the
atmosphere by plants and trees as they grew. The Fossil fuels are adding huge
amounts of stored carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere, where it traps the
Earth's heat like a heavy blanket and causes the world to warm. Studies show
that biodiesel reduces CO2 emissions to a considerable extent and in some
cases all most nearly to zero.

The disadvantages:

1. The percentage of feedstock that will be lost is higher then the percentage FFA.
100 gallons of waste vegetable oil will loose more than 10 gallons if it is 10%
FFA.

2. One limitation to the use of biodiesel is the fact that it tends to gel at low
temperatures. Gelling can be reduced by adding a winterizing agent formulated for
diesel fuels.

3. As will be illustrated in the next section, there may also be some limitations
regarding the economics of biodiesel production. While the economic analysis
does not include the potential social benefits provided through reduced emissions
(due to the difficulty in quantifying these values).

4. Probability of a slight increase in Nitrous oxides (NOx). This problem can be


solved by the use of catalytic converter.

5. Difficulties in cold weathers. This problem can be solved by the use of


winterizing agents or through the addition of heating devices.

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 2 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
The overall operation:
The general formula for making biodiesel is:

Methanol + vegetable oil + heat + catalyst (NaOH) biodiesel

The process starts with certain type of vegetable oil, this oil should be mixed with
the methanol and the catalyst which is in this case sodium monoxide (NaOH), and then
the mixture should be heated until 80˚c in the reactor, after that; the heated mixture
should pumped to the decanter in which washing and separation operations take place,
there are three expected products from the decanter; tow byproducts (Methanol and
Glycerol) and the wanted product (Biodiesel).

The overall reaction is explained in the chemical equation below:

The above process is called (transesterification), and the block diagram below
explains this process:

Overall block diagram of the biodiesel production system

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 3 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
Concept design of the whole system:
In order to accomplish the chemical process above practically, we need to tow
tanks; the first is the mixing tank which holds the mixture of (vegetable oil, Methanol and
the catalyst [NaOH]), a pump will pump this mixture to the second tank (reactor), in
which we will continuously mix the fluid and control its level and its temperature as
required.

The pump will continuously pumping the fluid to the reactor until the level
reaches its maximum desired value (90 cm), then the pumping from the first tank is stop,
then we will turn ON the heater and the mixer (to make uniform distribution of the heat
through the mixture) and wait until the temperature of the mixture reaches the desired
value (80˚c), at that moment the heater and the mixer will turned OFF and a normally
closed (NC) valve will opened to allow draining the heated mixture to the decanter to
wash it and separate the biodiesel from the other byproducts.

Draining operation will continue until the level reaches its minimum desired value
(10 cm), then the valve will closed and the pump will turned ON again, and the system
will stay in this infinite loop.

The schematic diagram below will explain this continuous process:

Schematic drawing of the biodiesel production process

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 4 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
EN 14214 Biodiesel international standard:
EN 14214 is an international standard that describes the minimum requirements
for biodiesel.

-The European Standard was approved by CEN (European Committee for


Standardization) on 14 February 2003

Property Testing Limits Unit


method
min. max.
Ester content EN 14103 96,5 % (m/m)
Density at 15°C EN ISO 3675 860 900 kg/m³
EN ISO 12185
Viscosity at EN ISO 3104, 3,5 5,0 mm²/s
40°C ISO 3105
Flash point EN ISO 3679 120 °C
Sulfur content EN ISO 20846 10,0 mg/kg
EN ISO 20884
Carbon residue EN ISO 10370 0,30 % (m/m)
(on 10%
distillation
residue)
Cetane number EN ISO 5165 51
Sulfated ash ISO 3987 0,02 % (m/m)
content
Water content EN ISO 12937 500 mg/kg
Total EN 12662 24 mg/kg
contamination
Copper strip EN ISO 2160 1
corrosion (3h
at 50°C)
Oxidation EN 14112 6,0 h
stability, 110°C
Acid value EN 14104 0,50 mg KOH/g
Iodine value EN 14111 120 g iodine/100g
Linolic acid EN 14103 12 % (m/m)
methyl ester
Fatty acid 1 % (m/m)
methyl esters
(>=4 double
bonds)
Methanol EN 14110 0,20 % (m/m)
content
Monoglyceride EN 14105 0,80 % (m/m)
content

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 5 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
Diglyceride EN 14105 0,20 % (m/m)
content
Triglyceride EN 14105 0,20 % (m/m)
content
Free glycerol EN 14105 0,02 % (m/m)
EN 14106
Total glycerol EN 14105 0,25 % (m/m)
Alkaline metals EN 14108, EN 5,0 mg/kg
(Na+K) 14109
Alkaline earth prEN 14538 5,0 mg/kg
metals
(Ca+Mg)
Phosphorus EN 14107 10,0 mg/kg
content

Selection the type of the controller:


1) Easy to interface and programming.
2) Low coast.
3) Requires less space than other controllers.
4) The control of the Biodiesel system (level and temperature control) is not
ON/OFF control so we could not use the PLC controller, but the PIC was what we
want.
5) Easy to program using Micro-basic.

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 6 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
Selection of the equipments:
Selection of the Tank (Reactor):

• Selection the size of the tank:


When selecting the size of the tank; we must take in consideration that the tank
must be have the ability to contain many components as the heater, the level sensor,
the temperature sensor and the mixer (see the schematic diagram above), so that we
had selected the size of the tank (reactor) to be [0.25 m3 ] with square cross sectional
area of approximately 0.25 m2 and height of 1 m; (which is enough for our small
scale production system).
• Selection the material of the tank:
When selecting the size of the tank; we must take in consideration that the tank
must be able to bear high temperatures, and too hard to be broken, and can bear the
chemical reactions inside it, and we should select the material of the lowest cost.
For all reasons above we had selected the stainless steel to be the material of the
tank (Reactor).

Selection of the pump:

• Positive displacement or dynamic pump:


The only job of the pump in our process is to transport the fluid from a place to
another place (tank to tank).
So that we will choose a positive displacement pump, because it rejects fixed
amount of fluid per revolution of its shaft and have high volumetric efficiency.
• DC or AC pump:
The preferred controlling way of the pump in our project is ON/OFF controlling,
so that we cannot easily control the AC pumps in this way.
So, we prefer using of a DC pump in our project because of its ease speed control
rather than the AC pump.
After searching we decided to use the DC pump (DP-60) with flow rate of 5 LPM
and operates at 12 V DC which is suitable for our application.
We will control the speed of this pump using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
technique of the PIC Microcontroller (PIC16F877A)

More information about this pump are located in its datasheet in appendix A.

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 7 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
Driving & controlling the pump

DC pumps are voltage controlled. That’s mean whenever the voltage across its
motor terminals changes the speed of the motor changes proportionally, so the flow rate is
proportional to the voltage applied across the motor.

We will use PWM (pulse width modulation) switching technique to control the
speed of the pump motor (i.e. the flow rate), The main idea of PWM is to change the duty
cycle of the driving signal of the load, consequently the average voltage applied to the
load will be changed, but we won't change this duty cycle, because we want constant flow
rate all time.

The driving circuit of the pump is shown below:

Pump driving circuit

In this driving circuit:

• We used the opto-coupler (CNY17-2) in order to isolate the electrical circuit of the
pump from the PIC microcontroller, because the interference from the load on PIC
microcontroller which may destroy it.
• Switching is achieved by firing the base of (MOSFET) by a control signal with a
specific frequency (PWM output) in order to make the load on the other port of the
transistor network connected to its voltage supply.
• We choose the (MOSFET) because of its high current withstanding capability, and its
ability to operate under high frequencies.
• We used a freewheeling diode (1N1202C) connected in parallel with the pump, in
order to eliminate the inductive noise from the pump.

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 8 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
Selection of the valve:

• Actuation of the valve:


The actuation of the valve must be done in an electrical method, because the type
of controller used in our project is (PIC microcontroller) which deals with
electrical signals, and to abolish the need to manual controlling.
So, we decided to use a solenoid valve.
• The OFF state of the valve:
When no signal is applied to the coil of this solenoid valve, it must be closed; so
that no fluid will leave the reactor during reaction operation.
So, the valve must be normally closed.
• The orifice area of the valve:
This selection is very important to determine the drain flow rate from the reactor to
the decanter.
So, we decide to choose the NC solenoid valve (GRANZOW series
21WN5KV190) with 0.75'' orifice diameter (approximately 2.5 cm), and 8W coil.
That means if a 12V DC is applied across the valve coil (we will do that in this
case); a current of 0.667A will flow through it, to make it opened.

More information about this valve is located in its datasheet in appendix A.

Driving & controlling the valve:

In the driving circuit shown below:

• The microcontroller (PIC16F877A) sends actuation signal (to RC7) to actuate the
valve coil, but the coil of the normally closed valve needs 24-V DC to be opened,
while the controller can only provide 5-V DC as a maximum output.
• So, we used a high-voltage and high-current Darlington transistor array
(ULN2003A) to solve this problem, which will provide the coil of the valve with
the required current.
• The other problem encountered us that the maximum ideal output current from the
(ULN2003A) is 0.5A, which is not enough to actuate the coil of the valve (needs
0.667A) , In order to get over this problem, a relay (finder-41.52.9.012) with 12-V
DC coil was used to deliver enough current for the valve coil.
• a free wheeling diode (1N1202C) is used to protect the relay coil from the back
electromotive force (EMF) generated due to the sudden change in the voltage
values during switching operations.

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 9 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 

Driving circuit of the solenoid valve

Selection of the motor (Mixer):

We decided to use a DC motor to accomplish the job of mixing the mixture inside
the decanter, because we want to control the speed of this motor using PWM duty cycle
control.

In our process the motor will operate at speed of 60 rpm, which is enough to mix the
liquid inside the reactor, to make uniform distribution of liquid temperature.

After searching we found a Permanent Magnet Brushless DC Motor --


BLDC40S40A-12V 18.1.056D with 1200 RPM and operate at 12V DC, so to achieve
our desired speed (60 RPM) we should use a gearbox with gear ratio of (20) to
accomplish this job.
The gearbox which we decide to use it was SYF-1-20 Series Center-dive Worm
Gear Box which gives us the required gear ratio (20).

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 10 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
Driving & controlling the motor:

As mentioned above; we want to control the speed of the DC motor (mixer) using
PWM technique, but here we will be able to change the speed of the motor using ADC
(Analog to Digital Conversion) function of the PIC16F877A, and that by change the duty
cycle depending on variation of an analog input fro a 10 kohm potentiometer connected to
AN0 (RA0).

The driving circuit of the DC motor is shown below, and it’s approximately identical to
the one for the DC pump:

The driving circuit of the DC motor

Selection of the heater:

The main three features which the heater must have are:

1. The ability for providing the fluid in the reactor with the desired temperature.
2. Its material must be able to bear the chemical reaction around it (because it will
stay always inside the reactor).
3. The heater must be with suitable size, to give us the ability to put it inside the tank
(reactor).

So, so we decide to use the heater (HVM124) with operates at 230 Vrms and rated
power of 1kW.

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 11 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
The heater waits for a signal from the controller to get started depending
on the signals that the temperature sensor sends, Due to the fact that the control
signal is a small DC signal and the heater operates at a high AC voltage, a relay
(finder-41.61.9.012) with 12-V DC coil is used to control switching the heater on
and off, but the relay here is differs from the one used to drive the solenoid valve;
because the current drawn by the heater is much greater than the current drawn by
the valve (18-times) and this relay can carry up to 16 A

We used the (ULN2003A) and the freewheeling diode (1N1202C) for the
same reasons mentioned in the valve section.

Heater driving circuit

Selection of the temperature sensor:


To measure the temperature of the mixture in side the reactor (in order to compare
it with the desired temperature); we decided to use (LM35) Precision Centigrade
Temperature Sensor.

The LM35 series are precision integrated-circuit temperature sensors, whose output voltage is
linearly proportional to the Celsius (Centigrade) temperature by the ratio (10mV/ ). All features
of this sensor are in its data sheet in Appendix A.

This sensor will measure the temperature of the fluid inside the reactor and return an
analog DC voltage signal proportional to this temperature, then this signal will used as input for
the ADC module in the (PIC16F877A) at AN2 (pin RA2) to converted to digital value to compare

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 12 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
it with the desired input voltage (proportional to the desired temperature 80 ), comparison result
will decide the state of the heater.

So, if the (LM35) operates at 5Vand the ADC module gives us 10 bit resolution; then the
value which we will compare the result of ADC with it is given by:

80 0.01  /
  2 164

The driving circuit of the temperature sensor is shown below:

Driving circuit of the temperature sensor

Temperature Controlling:

A control algorithm is needed to hold the temperature of the fluid inside the reactor at a
constant value (80 ) in our case. Electronic temperature controllers are most often used
to vary the supply of an electric current through the electric heater to accomplish this.

Assuming that the temperature control system is a first order system with a time constant
of 2 sec, then the transfer function of the system is given by:

. .  

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 13 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
Now we will test this system by applying a step input and then observing the output with
out using any controller (just using unity feedback):

In this case the output of the system will be:

We note that from the last figure, that the output response nee to 6 sec to settle, and this
time is too long and causes a problem. So, we decided to use a PID controller to solve this
problem.

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 14 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
PID controller:

The PID controller is the most widely used controller in industry and process
control, yet it isn’t most efficient for all applications, The PID-controller can be
described by the equation:

              .         
Where ,     are the controller parameters which needed to be found for
PID controller tuning. This type of controller has a transfer function calculated by
applying Laplace transform: 

   
    

If we want to control our system we must make tuning the controller parameters
as we want the system response to be. In order to get a fine tuning there are many rules;
Ziegler-Nichols tuning rules are one of them.

Now for our system after we use a PID controller with the parameters

2    20     10 the response of the system will be better than


before, and the response is shown below:

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 15 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
Selection of the level sensor:

In our process we want the pump to pump the fluid to the reactor until the level of the
liquid reaches 90 cm, at that moment the valve must opened to allow draining from the
reactor to the decanter until the level reaches 0 cm (the tank is empty) then the pump
should start pumping again.

So, we selected the level sensor (LV-MaxSonar-EZ), which provides very short to
long-range detection and ranging, in an incredibly small package, detects objects from 0-
inches to 254-inches (6.45-meters) and provides sonar range information from 6-inches
out to 254-inches with 1-inch resolution.

This sensor Outputs analog voltage with a scaling factor of (Vcc/512) per inch. A supply
of 5V yields 9.8mV/in (3.86 mV / cm). (See the data sheet in Appendix A).

This sensor is measure the distance and returned it in more than one form, but we
will use the analog output and use it as input for the ADC module in the (PIC16F877A)
on AN1 (RA1) to convert it and compare it with the desired voltage values (desired
levels), then depending on the result of comparison the state of the pump, heater, and the
mixer will evaluated.

Since the level sensor (LV-MaxSonar-EZ) operates at 5V and the ADC module
give us a resolution of 10 bits then the value which we will compare the result of ADC with it
is given by:

  .   /
  2 8……...To ensure that the tank is full
 

  .   /
  2 71……To ensure that the tank is empty
 

The driving circuit of the level sensor is shown below:

Level sensor driving circuit

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 16 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
Flow chart:
Flowchart diagram of the software required to operate the system is shown below:

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 17 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
Software code:
The following code is written using MICROBASIC software:

'THE PUMP (DC PUMP):RC1


'SOLENOID VALVE: RC7
'ANALOG INPUT OF THE LEVEL SENSOR: RA1
'ANALOG INPUT OF THE TEMP. SENSOR: RA2
'ANALOG INPUT FROM THE POTENTIOMETER: RA0
'THE MIXER (DC MOTOR): RC2
'THE HEATER: RB3
'****************************************************************
Program BIODIESEL

Dim LEVEL as word


Dim TEMPERATURE as word
Dim PMETER as word
Main:
TRISC=0X00
TRISA=0XFF
TRISB=0X00
PORTA=0X00
PORTB=0X00
PORTC=0X00

Pwm1_Init (500) 'INITIALIZE PWM FREQ. FOR THE MIXER


Pwm2_Init (200) 'INITIALIZE PWM FREQ. FOR THE DC PUMP
Pwm1_Change_Duty (50)
Pwm2_Change_Duty (50)
Pwm2_Start 'TURN ON THE PUMP

START:
LEVEL = Adc_Read (1) 'READ THE LEVEL
IF LEVEL <= 8 THEN 'IF THE LEVEL IS 90 CM OR ABOVE
Y1: Pwm2_STOP 'TURN OFF THE PUMP
PORTB.3=1 'TURN ON THE HEATER
PMETER=ADC_READ (0)
PWM1_CHANGE_DUTY (PMETER)
Pwm2_START
TEMP: TEMPERATURE = Adc_Read (2) 'READ THE TEMPERATURE

IF TEMPERATURE < 164 THEN 'IF THE TEMP. IS LESS THAN 80 C


GOTO TEMP

ELSE 'IF THE TEMP. IS 80 C OR ABOVE


PORTB.3=0 'TURN OFF THE HEATER
Pwm2_STOP 'TURN OFF THE MIXER
PORTC.7=1 'OPEN THE VALVE
DELAY_MS (10000)
GOTO START
END IF

ELSE 'IF THE LEVEL IS LESS THAN 90 CM


Y2: LEVEL = Adc_Read (1) 'READ THE LEVEL AGAIN

IF LEVEL >= 71 THEN 'IF THE LEVEL IS <=10 CM


Y3: PORTC.7=0 'CLOSE THE VALVE
PWM2_START 'TURN ON THE PUMP
IF LEVEL > 8 THEN 'IF THE LEVEL < 90 CM

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 18 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
GOTO Y3
ELSE
GOTO Y1
END IF

ELSE 'IF THE LEVEL IS > 10 CM


PORTC.7=1 'OPEN THE VALVE
PWM2_STOP 'TURN OFF THE PUMP
GOTO Y2
END IF

END IF

END.

Required safety features:

1. Emergency Push Button


Which is connected to the main power feed line, when it is pressed in an
emergency situation like fluid leakage, fire, controller not be able to do its job, in
general when the process is interfaced by any outer disturbance the whole system
is stop and an emergency alarm is start.

2. Cold Weather Blending and Storage


Like any diesel fuel, biodiesel can gel at low temperatures, Some types of
biodiesel freeze at higher temperatures than others, depending on the level of
saturated components in the fuel.
To prevent forming crystals, blend biodiesel with kerosene in a 50:50 mix first
(make sure the temperature of the kerosene is above 45oF), then blend the
biodiesel-kerosene mix into the cold diesel fuel. Do not forget to adjust your
blending formula so that you end up with a 20% blend of biodiesel in the final
fuel.

3. Composition Information
Biodiesel contains no hazardous materials. Biodiesel contains a variety of fatty
acid methyl esters with carbon chain lengths varying between 12 and 22, where 18
carbon chains are the most common. Small quantities (less than 1%) of other
materials may be present and should not exceed fuel quality standards.

4. Handling and Storage


Store in clean, dry, approved diesel equipment between 50° F and 120°F. Keep
away from oxidizing agents, excessive heat, and ignition sources. Store and use in
Well-ventilated areas. Do not store or use near heat, spark, or flame. Store out of
the sun. Do not puncture, drag, or slide drums or totes. Drum and totes are not
pressure vessels; never use pressure to empty.
Methanol storage containers must be metal, grounded, use masonry supports and
must not spill contents if connectors burn through
5. Inhalation
Negligible danger unless heated to produce vapors. Vapors or finely misted
materials may irritate the mucous membranes and cause irritation, dizziness, and

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 19 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 
nausea. If this occurs remove to fresh air. If vapors or mists are generated, wear a
NIOSH approved organic vapor/mist respirator.

6. Eye Contact
May cause irritation. Irrigate eye with water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Seek
medical attention if symptoms persist. Safety glasses, goggles, or face shield are
recommended to protect eyes from mists or splashing.

7. Acute Oral Toxicity/Rates


Biodiesel is nontoxic and there are no hazards anticipated from ingestion incidental
to industrial exposure. If ingested, give one or two glasses of water to drink. If
gastro-intestinal symptoms develop, consult medical personnel. (Never give
anything by mouth to an unconscious person.) Effects are similar to those
associated with laxatives. The acute oral LD50 (lethal dose) is greater than 17.4
g/Kg body weight. By comparison, table salt (NaCL) is nearly 10 times more toxic.

8. Skin Irritation – Humans


A 24-hr. human patch test indicated that undiluted biodiesel produced very mild
irritation. The irritation was less than the result produced by a 4 percent soap and
water solution. Wash with soap and water. Avoid contact with hot fuel as it may
cause burns. PVC coated gloves are recommended to prevent skin contact. May
soften skin.

9. Aquatic Toxicity
A 96-hr. lethal concentration of biodiesel for bluegills was greater than 1000
Mg/L. Lethal concentrations at these levels are generally deemed "insignificant"
according to NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
guidelines in its Registry of the Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances.

10. Fire Fighting Measures


Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid exposure to
smoke and vapor. Combustion produces carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
along with thick smoke. Fires may be extinguished with dry chemical, foam, halon,
CO2, or water spray (fog). Use water spray to cool drums exposed to heat or
flames. (Caution-Water stream may splash the burning liquid and spread fire.) Oil
soaked rags can cause spontaneous combustion if not handled properly. Before
disposal, wash rags with soap and water and dry in well ventilated area.
Space required around tanks for fire fighting access - Explosion proof electrical
wiring.

11. No other operations in the room with the equipment.


The environmental protection agency (EPA) deals only with the protection of the
environment. In the case of biodiesel, most of the concern is about containment
from spills of the various fluids.

12. Separate between the electrical components and the fluid to avoid explosion of the
material.(avoid any contact with anything may produce a spark).

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 20 


 
Small Scale Biodiesel Production System 
 

Maintenance:
1) Continuous checking of the equipments used in the production line in general by
applying a piecewise testing.

2) Redundancy or diversity by using another pump in parallel with the main pump,
and another solenoid valve parallel with main valve, of the same technology
(Redundancy) or different technology (Diversity).

3) Visual scanning of tanks and pipes looking for any leakage then when finding
one; the problem has to be solved immediately.

4) Checking both of level and temperature sensors and testing them; to see if there is
a need to calibration and when it is; a harry solution must be done.

5) Checking the mixer plates of wearing by the effect of the fluid in the tank, and
replace them if there is any.

6) Choose the suitable place for the microcontroller (PIC), far away from any contact
with the oil and the heat and also checking all electrical connections.

© Copyright held by authors: Group [4]  Page 21 


 

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi