Biodiesel from Scum Oil and Waste Oil (20150113, Dr. Roger Ruan)

Process Converts Scum to Biodiesel

A new waste remediation process converts scum from waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) into ASTM compliant biodiesel. The six-step method begins with a filtration step that separates water/oil/solid while converting soap to free fatty acid (FFA). A combination of acid washing and acid catalyzed esterification with glycerin removes soap and impurities while converting FFA to glycerol esters, and glycerol washing separates biodiesel and glycerin after base catalyzed transesterification with methanol. After producing fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and glycerol, FAME/glycerol/methanol will be separated and FAME recovered. The crude FAME is then distilled to produce high quality biodiesel that can be used directly in transportation vehicles. This method has high conversion rate (it has converted 70% of dried and filtered scum to biodiesel), low material cost, low energy input and low waste discharge.

Reduces Environmental Pollution

Currently scum is treated by either anaerobic digestion or landfilling. Anaerobic digestion produces a low value methane gas while landfilling can cause environmental problems and is very costly. Due to high water content, high free fatty acid and soap content, and impurities in the scum, there is currently no cost effective process available that converts scum to biodiesel. This new process converts scum to a higher value product (biodiesel) while also reducing environmental pollutants in both landfills and water resources. The unique conversion technology not only pertains to scum conversion but also offers improvement opportunities to commercial biodiesel plants. The process has great potential as an alternative pathway for scum treatment.

BENEFITS AND FEATURES:

• Converts scum to high value biodiesel
• Lowers net cost of scum disposal
• Low material input
• Low energy consumption
• Low/no wastewater discharge
• Generates revenue from scum
• Environmentally sustainable
• Reduces landfill costs as well as environmental pollutants
• Estimated 3-year payback period
• Small pilot plant built and demonstrated on site at sewage treatment plan

APPLICATIONS:

• Biodiesel from waste products such as scum, spent oil, gut oil, waste cooking oil
• Waste/wastewater treatment plants where significant scum is generated
• Vegetable oil disposal where significant free fatty acids are present in waste oil

Phase of Development - Pilot scale demonstration