Fast and Furious Featuring Biodiesel

Biodiesel is an alternative energy source used as a substitute for petroleum-based diesel fuel. The biodiesel market is predicted to double by 2035 as demands grows due to environmental awareness. To be a viable alternative, a biofuel should provide a net energy gain, have environmental benefits, be economically competitive, and be producible in large quantities without diminishing food supplies. Traditional feedstocks such as corn, wheat, and animal fat were reconsidered due to the negative impact their production has on land, water, and biodiversity. Instead, used cooking oil (UCO) sourced from local establishments that would otherwise go to waste was chosen as the feedstock. To ensure a year-round supply of the UCO, the plant was based in Joliet, IL. This location has multiple benefits including over 7,500 restaurants in the Chicagoland area, Illinois tax incentives, and an established transportation system. Furthermore, the proximity of various refineries and blending facilities facilitates the sale of the product. Such a product was chosen to be biodiesel with a purity of 99%, known as B99. Through a process called transesterification, used cooking oil is reacted with methanol in the presence of an alkaline catalyst to produce the desired biodiesel concentration. The goal is to produce at least 2.5 million gallons per year of biodiesel using about 2.7 million gallons of filtered UCO. Additionally, any by-products generated will be targeted at a purity that can be sold to different industries. For instance, by-products with glycerol content between 60 and 82% can be sold to various industries such as oleochemicals, biogas, and animal feed. Additionally, glycerine with glycerol content between 92 and 99.5% can be certified Kosher and used in food or pharmaceutical industries. Designing the process to generate such by-products will not only help increase profits, but it will also further reduce environmental impacts.