Biodiesel Production via Cross-Flow Filtration and Enzyme Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biodiesel production methods face challenges in efficiently processing fats, oils, and grease (FOG) to produce biodiesel while minimizing waste and avoiding contamination of sewer systems and landfills, particularly due to issues with emulsified FOG and high water usage.
Innovation Solution
A method involving transesterification and esterification reactions using biocatalysts or chemical catalysts, combined with cross-flow filtration cassettes to separate and purify biodiesel, glycerol, and water, allowing for continuous processing and recycling of enzymes and solvents, thereby reducing waste and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional biodiesel production methods are used to process FOG, then biodiesel can be produced, but emulsified FOG contaminates sewer systems and landfills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes emulsified FOG from the waste stream using separation tanks and centrifugal separators before biodiesel production. This prevents the emulsified FOG from entering sewer systems and landfills while allowing the cleaned material to proceed to biodiesel conversion, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful environmental effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary treatment steps including screening, settling, and centrifugal separation before the main biodiesel production process. By removing solids and separating emulsified FOG in advance, the system prevents contamination issues downstream while maintaining efficient biodiesel production from the purified feedstock.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional separation methods are used in biodiesel production, then biodiesel can be purified, but large volumes of water are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional water-based washing and purification methods with centrifugal separation and filtration systems. The centrifugal separator uses rotational force to separate glycerol, water, and impurities from biodiesel without requiring large volumes of washing water, thus achieving high purification quality while minimizing water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs filtration media with specific pore sizes to separate and remove impurities from biodiesel. These porous materials enable effective purification by trapping particles and contaminants while allowing clean biodiesel to pass through, reducing the need for water-intensive washing processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient production of biodiesel from FOG sources with minimal waste, reducing the burden on sewer systems and landfills, and allows for the recycling of water and enzymes, improving the overall sustainability and cost-effectiveness of the process.
Implementation Method 1
cross-flow filtration cassettes to separate and purify biodiesel, glycerol, and water
Implementation Method 2
separating the formed crude biodiesel and crude glycerol from the reaction medium
Implementation Method 3
transesterification and/or esterification reactions using biocatalysts or chemical catalysts
Implementation Method 4
conversion of both free fatty acids and triglycerides may be effected with enzyme catalysis by using lipases
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides for a method for treatment of fats, oils and grease (FOG) for separation of target products and/or the efficient production of biodiesel while reducing disposal of solid or liquid waste matter into landfills or water treatment facilities.