Method for manufacture and use of the waste stream from biodiesel production (crude glycerin) as a commercial fuel

Abstract

The biodiesel manufacturing process generates between 10% and 20% crude glycerin as a waste stream. Due to the rapid rise in the production of biodiesel, this waste has become a significant burden to the industry. This patent establishes a method to transform the crude glycerin into a useful fuel in some applications where waste petroleum oil or heavy fuel oil is currently used. A side benefit of this process is that the biodiesel manufacturer can use this fuel as a secondary profit stream.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to the processing and use of the waste stream of biodiesel production as a commercial fuel. The invention relates to the processing of this waste stream to prepare it for optimal combustion and its use in a modified fuel burning system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Due to the rapid expansion of the biodiesel industry, its waste product (crude glycerin) has become a significant disposal issue. This invention solves this problem by allowing the glycerin to be processed into a useful fuel. Since it is renewable and made from vegetable or animal oils, it has a very low sulfur content, very low ash content and a relatively high BTU content of approximately 124,000 BTUs per gallon. It has some significant benefits over petroleum and coal as an industrial energy source. It has a sufficiently high flashpoint to make it stable enough for relatively safe use either as a process fuel either in the biodiesel manufacturing industry itsel...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003] To successfully produce and use this fuel, five parameters must be met. First, the glycerin must be properly filtered to remove particles that could interfere with the passages in the burner equipment. Second, an accelerant (typically the alcohol used in the biodiesel manufacturing process itself) must be added (or maintained if methanol is not recovered in the biodiesel process) in a proportion that improves combustion, but maintains safety. Third, the fuel must be raised to a temperature close to its native flashpoint (145 degrees F. in the case of methanol) to improve combustion. Fourth, all applicable governmental regulations must be met. Fifth, some equipment modifications may need to be made to protect equipment from its inherent high ph level.

Problems solved by technology

Previous attempts to use crude glycerin as a fuel have not included any of the above parameters, nor has reliable combustion been accomplished in a publicly documented commercial operation.