Toward eco-efficient green diesel plant (integrated first and second generation of biodiesel plant)

5 January 2011

Concept
Eco-efficient diesel green biodiesel plant is a concept that integrates the first and second-generation biodiesel. This concept has developed by PSE research group and the outline can be seen in the following configuration

This plant integrates three units:

a. The first generation of biodiesel production

            Raw materials of oil (CPO or jatropha curcas), methanol and a catalyst feeded into the first-generation biodiesel production unit. From this unit will produce biodiesel used as fuel and glycerol as side product.

b. Production of hydrogen gas from glycerol

            Glycerol byproduct of a biodiesel production unit with the process of reforming further converted into hydrogen that would be used as raw material for green diesel production unit.

c. Production of green diesel (biodiesel second generation) of oil and hydrogen.

            Hydrogen from the previous unit subsequently treated with oil (CPO or jatropha curcas) to produce green diesel, naphta and diesel oil.

Advantages

Eco-efficient green diesel plant has the advantages:

a. Zero waste.

            If we look at the overall process as a black box, with the raw material in the form of oil, methanol and c

atalyst to produce biodiesel, green diesel, naphta and diesel oil. So, this plant produces no waste at all.
b. Zero emission.

            Energy used in this plant is biodiesel or naphta to be fueled from some existing products and these fuels produce very little or no emissions.  

c. Eco-efficient.

            This plant has the concepts of eco efficiency, since it use fewer energy, resources and creating less waste and pollution.