Biodiesel Post-Treatment Washing for Low Monoacylglycerol Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biodiesel production methods struggle to reduce monoacylglycerol (MAG) content below 0.4% or 0.2% without substantial chemical usage, water consumption, or modification of existing installations, while maintaining long-term stability and filtration characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A post-treatment process involving two counter-current washing steps with a concentrated alkaline solution and recycled acidic water, using a small volume of concentrated alkali to agitate the crude biodiesel, followed by a second washing with fresh acidic water, reduces MAG content efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional washing procedures are used to reduce MAG content, then MAG content decreases, but water and chemical consumption increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the washing process by using a concentrated alkaline solution (high concentration) instead of dilute solutions, and by optimizing the sequence and volume of washing steps. This allows achieving the same MAG reduction with significantly less water and chemical consumption, resolving the contradiction between purification effectiveness and resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing process is divided into multiple sequential steps with different functions: first washing with concentrated alkaline solution to remove bulk MAG, second washing with dilute alkaline solution to remove residual MAG, and third washing with acidic water to neutralize and remove soaps. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized for its specific purpose, reducing overall resource consumption while maintaining effectiveness.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple washing steps are implemented to reduce MAG content, then MAG content decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing equipment is designed to perform multiple functions through sequential operations: the same washing system conducts alkaline washing to remove MAG, then acidic washing to neutralize and remove soaps, all in a unified process flow. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated equipment for each washing stage, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high MAG removal efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If existing installations are modified to reduce MAG content, then MAG content decreases, but modification costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The process utilizes the existing installation's washing equipment and infrastructure to perform the MAG reduction, requiring minimal modification to existing components. The system leverages the available chemical handling capabilities and washing apparatus, making the installation self-sufficient with respect to its own resources, thereby minimizing modification costs while achieving the desired MAG content reduction.
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
The process effectively lowers MAG content to below 0.4% or 0.2% with reduced chemical and water usage, maintaining biodiesel stability and suitability for high blending ratios, and can be implemented in existing installations without major modifications.
Implementation Method 1
contacting said crude biodiesel with a concentrated solution of alkali... agitating the resulting mixture intensively
Implementation Method 2
the concentration of monoacylglycerol present in said crude biodiesel is reduced
Implementation Method 3
contacting said pre-washed biodiesel with fresh acidic water... inactivation of any alkalinity still present in said pre-washed biodiesel
Implementation Method 4
separating said mixture into a spent water phase and a pre-washed biodiesel phase
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Post-treatment process for crude biodiesel containing residual monoacylglycerol (MAG) and comprising contacting said crude biodiesel with a concentrated alkaline solution, double counter-current washing each followed by a phase separation and drying. The process is economical in chemicals and washing water.