The Production of Biodiesel from Waste Sludges and Biosolids from Wastewater Treatment Plants
Description:
Overview of technology
A biofuel that provides a more sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel source alternative to petroleum-based fuels
Background
Biodiesel can be produced from any plant or animal fat such as the oils derived from corn, rice, peanuts, coconut, poultry, beef and pork. Biodiesel can replace and or displace petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel has many environmental benefits including reducing emissions of CO2, CO an SO2. Despite biodiesel being a more sustainable form of fuel, its main drawback is the high costs associated with the production costs of biofuels within the processes of extracting and purifying the oils/fats.
MSU researchers have developed a novel and inexpensive source of feedstock for biodiesel production. The extraction of biosolids and waste sludges which can then be used as a feedstock to produce biodiesel and glycerin.
Description of technology
Biodiesel is an alternative renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils and/or animal fats. Biodiesel is produced via the chemical reaction of transesterification of the triglycerides and/or free fatty acids present in the oils and fat using an alcohol (typically methanol) and catalyst (acid or base). The products of the reaction are glycerin and fatty acid methyl esters. These fatty acid methyl esters are biodiesel. Biodiesel performs almost identically within a diesel engine as petroleum-derived diesel fuel.
This patent process provides an innovative means of extracting lipids from sludges generated during primary, secondary and/or tertiary treatment of municipal, agricultural, and industrial wastewater. The resulting lipid-rich component can be used for the production of numerous valuable chemicals including but not limited to (1) biodiesel (a renewable replacement to petroleum-based diesel), (2) lecithin (a commercial nutrient and processing "building-block chemical" typically produced from eggs and soy oil), and (3) glycerol (a widely used chemical feedstock in many industrial processes). Furthermore, a by-product of the process is much more digestible than typical influents to digestion processes at wastewater plants.
Applications
- Commercial fuel source alternative/additive for transportation vehicles.
- Offers a novel and cheap source of feedstock for biodiesel production
- Offers an opportunity to reduce the amount of biosolids to disposed
Benefits
- Low-cost alternative to other biodiesel feedstock options
- Solution to reducing sludge waste by utilizing waste for biodiesel production
- Biodiesel reduces toxic emissions
Opportunity
This invention provides an exciting opportunity to produce vast quantities of biodiesel while reducing environmental disposal problems for wastewater treatment plant managers. Firms currently involved in biodiesel production, chemical production or wastewater derived solids management to further foster the development of this invention.