Biodiesel at CEET

In partnership with the Louisiana Native Plant Initiative, CEET has purchased a small-scale biodiesel processor that will produce about 40 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.

Our biodiesel system is a Fuelmeister II Biodiesel Processor. It contains a polyethylene conical mixing tank, tank stand, electric pump, hoses, valves, and instruction manual. We have purchased 55-gallon drums to store the vegetable oil, methanol, and biodiesel. We are currently assembling the product and have yet to produce any fuel. Below are some pictures showing the status of our biodiesel processor.

The large-scale biodiesel setup shown below 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.

www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/biodiesel.html

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.