Biodiesel Sludge Reprocessing via Acid Hydrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for handling biodiesel sludge consisting of steryl glycoside/fatty acid alkyl ester/water agglomerates are complex and costly, leading to disposal issues and loss of valuable materials, as they require specialized agents or enzymes that need to be purchased and disposed of at great expense.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the evaporation of water from the sludge to enrich it with sterol glycosides, followed by acid-catalyzed splitting of steryl glycosides into sterol and sugar components using an acidic catalyst or solid ion exchanger, allowing for mechanical separation and subsequent removal of sugar content, thereby isolating valuable sterols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized adsorbents, filter materials, or enzymes are used to remove steryl glycosides from crude biodiesel, then the removal effectiveness is improved, but the process complexity and disposal costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs common, inexpensive materials such as activated carbon, silica gel, and alumina that can be easily disposed of or regenerated, replacing the need for expensive specialized adsorbents, filter materials, or enzymes while maintaining effective removal of steryl glycosides
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts steryl glycosides from the biodiesel phase through washing with water or alcohol, separating them into a distinct phase that can be removed mechanically, thereby avoiding the need for complex adsorption or enzymatic processes
2Reliability
If specialized adsorbents, filter materials, or enzymes are used to remove steryl glycosides from crude biodiesel, then the removal effectiveness is improved, but the disposal expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive, commonly available materials like activated carbon, silica gel, and alumina that can be disposed of economically or regenerated at low cost, eliminating the need to purchase and dispose of expensive specialized agents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers valuable sterol components from the steryl glycoside molecules through acid hydrolysis, converting them into useful products that can be sold or utilized, thereby offsetting disposal costs and creating additional value from what would otherwise be waste
3Reliability
If steryl glycosides are removed from biodiesel using existing processes, then the biodiesel quality is improved, but valuable materials are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers valuable sterol components from the steryl glycoside molecules through acid hydrolysis, converting them into useful products that can be sold or utilized, thereby offsetting disposal costs and creating additional value from what would otherwise be waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical structure of steryl glycosides through acid-catalyzed hydrolysis, breaking them down into sterol and sugar components, thereby transforming the problematic impurity into valuable recoverable materials while maintaining biodiesel quality
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 process effectively separates sterol glycosides from biodiesel, reducing residues and enabling the recovery of valuable sterols, which can be used as fuel or isolated for further processing, while minimizing the need for additional chemicals and disposal costs.
Implementation Method 1
In a first step the water is removed from the sludge by evaporation
Implementation Method 2
subsequent splitting of the steryl glycosides, in the presence of an acidic catalyst, in their sterol and sugar content
Implementation Method 3
by bringing it into contact with an acidic, solid ion exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for reprocessing a phase substantially comprising steryl glycoside/fatty acid alkyl ester/water agglomerates, said phase arising when fatty acid alkyl ester produced by transesterification of plant oils or animal fats is washed with water, wherein the water fraction is evaporated off by heating the phase and then the steryl glycosides are split into the sterol and sugar parts thereof in the presence of an acidic catalyst.