Biodiesel use and production has gained recent popularity for its economic and environmental benefits. Although biodiesel may not completely replace conventional fossil fuels, [a] surplus of soybean crops in the United States and research developments for the processing of waste vegetable oil from restaurant waste streams has positioned biodiesel as a viable supplement to allow more time for the development of alternative sources of energy. Currently biodiesel is produced with limited local availability, and methods of production have been incapable of providing a significant source of the fuel, which in turn raises its cost of production. Issues concerning biodiesel use and production are addressed in this report, and an experimental analysis on the transesterification process method of biodiesel production is used as a basis for a pilot scale design of a continuous flow B1OO-grade biodiesel refining process. The design of the process was conceptualized for the use of waste vegetable oil as feedstock and a valuable byproduct recovery system as a means to lower production costs. A cost estimate for the lifecycle of the refinery's operation is also provided as a means to illustrate the viability of the proposed design.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Pinango, Ormar P.
• Scheriff, Sean J. W.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 05A009M

Advisor

• O'Shaughnessy, James C.
• Sisson, Richard D.
• Bergendahl, John Andrew

Year

• 2005

Date created

• 2005-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright