Methanol Recovery System and Composting of waste Glycerin

Gemini Meeh Joe Pearson Dr. Serita Frey

Recovering excess methanol from biodiesel and glycerin

Why we need it: Excess methanol is used to generate a complete reaction Why we need to recover it:
Cost savings from capturing free methanol in the biodiesel and glycerin reduce the cost of biodiesel product Free methanol in biodiesel will raise flash point level above ASTM spec., must be below 300C Free methanol in glycerin may be hazardous to composting microorganisms

Process Description
Started with a conglomeration of plumbing parts. Wound copper tubing, and inserted it into a 4 PVC pipe Condensing column Used old Propane tank as recovery container. Whole system is under vacuum.

Approach
Free methanol is recovered from heated biodiesel and glycerin by circulating the solution through the reactor increases rate of methanol diffusion out of solution. Vacuum is activated (15inHg) to lower the boiling point of methanol. Air is allowed in through the base of the reactor so air bubbles can pass through the biodiesel and glycerin. This has the effect of creating more surface area for methanol vapors to leave the solution. Cold water is circulated through the PVC water jacket to cool the copper coil and cause the methanol vapors to condense. The condensed methanol is collected in the recovery container

Results and Recommendations

First trial of condenser run; operated for 15 minutes. 2030ml of methanol recovered. Contamination of vacuum pump oil, i.e. methanol vapors passing through the condensing column Need to install a methanol trap to collect any vapors that pass through the column. Formulate method for determining the ideal operating parameters to collect all vapors Perform further tests to determine most efficient and complete recovery process

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Composting of Waste Glycerin

Disposing of waste glycerin via composting is becoming an increasingly popular disposal method. The remaining methanol in the glycerin could cause problems in the microbial community of a compost system.

Process Description
Measured out compost into 3 samples. Put them in an incubator at 38 degree Celsius for 3 day periods. After 3 days, the samples were measured for their CO2 content using an Infrared Gas analyzer (IRGA). The amount of CO2 is a good indicator of the health and productivity of microbes.

Approach
Working with Dr. Serita Frey, Soil Scientist in UNHs Natural Resources department. Could not find a study like this one to refer to, so this part of the project sets baseline data for the rest of the project (e.g. when the glycerin is added to the compost samples)

Results and Recommendations

The following graph depicts the IRGA readings (CO2 content) for the three samples on each of the eight sampling days. Day 5, highlighted in yellow represents the reading after sample 2 was replaced with a blank. Sample 2 had an unfortunate accident. Might have skewed the data.

Results and Recommendations

Averge IRGA Readings
12000

Day 6
10000

Day 5

Micrometers/meter (CO2)

8000

Day 3
6000

Day 7 Day 4

Day 1

4000

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8

Day 2
2000

Day 8

0 1 Sampling Days

Results and Recommendations

The next phase of the composting project is determining the amount of waste glycerin that should be added to the soil samples. If the material amounts are suitable, then this experiment should be helpful in determining the effect the glycerin has on the microbial community.

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