Design and fabrication of pilot scale plant for biodiesel production from soybean

Project Title

Design and fabrication of pilot scale plant for biodiesel production from soybean

Project Area of Specialization Mechanical EngineeringProject Summary

Primary energy resources such as petroleum and gas are depleting rapidly due to increased population and industrialization. In addition, combustion of such fuels is considered to be major cause of environmental pollution due to the release of toxic components i.e. NOx and SOx. Secondary resources such as lignucellosuic biomass are environmentally friendly and has shown considerable potential to meet the global energy demand. Biodiesel is a non-petroleum fuel produced by transesterification or esterification reactions. Materials from renewable sources, such as vegetable oils or animal fats and anhydrous alcohols with low molecular weight, are used as reactants in the process. Biodiesel is one of the alternative biofuels that can be used to replace crude oil as the main fuel globally. This is because biodiesel is biodegradable and nontoxic, and is associated with low gas emissions, due to the molecular structure of its main chemical components. Today, biodiesel is so versatile that it can be used in diesel engines without the need for prior modification of the mechanical parts. Transesterification is the most widely used reaction to produce biodiesel. It involves the breaking of the triglyceride structure and exchange of alkyl groups with the hydroxide group from alcohol, to obtain the new ester (i.e., biodiesel). The main purpose of transesterification is to reduce the viscosity and to increase the volatility of the vegetable oil. The reactions involved in biodiesel production can be homogeneously catalyzed to obtain maximum output within a relatively short time. However, oil extraction and conversion to biodiesel is still challenging from such materials. Moreover, to maintain the controlled environment for desired product quality is of great concern as well.

In this context, this work is focused on design and fabrication of automated laboratory scale plant for biodiesel production from soybean. The core objectives of study are as following

Project Objectives

 Design and fabrication of laboratory scale plant for biodiesel production

Project Implementation Method

1. Soybean will be crushed and oil will be extracted by using solvent. 

2. Oil will be mixed with catalysts in automated reactor 

3. at controlled condition prodcued biodiesel will be washed and separated from glycerin. 

4. Optimization of product yield at controlled variables such as Temperature, Pressure and mixing ratio of oil and reagent will be performed

5. Product quality analysis and application

Benefits of the Project

1. The fabrication of automated pilot unit will demnstrate the potential of bioenergy production from soybean in Pakistan.

2. Controlled processing mechanism will be elaborated

3. Will benefit the students for hands on experience  

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

1. Reactor 

2. Thermcouples 

3. Pressure senesor 

4. Controllers 

5. digital meters

6. Data logger

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry Energy Other IndustriesCore Technology Clean TechOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean EnergyRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	80000
Reactor	Equipment	1	25000	25000
Thermocouples	Equipment	3	2000	6000
Pressure sensor	Equipment	2	1000	2000
controllers	Equipment	2	5000	10000
Digital meter	Equipment	3	3000	9000
Data logger	Equipment	1	10000	10000
Insulation and regaents	Equipment	1	8000	8000
Miscellaneous	Miscellaneous	1	10000	10000