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Madison Area Technical College Biodiesel Course
Author: Erik Bennett, Owner of North
Central Biodiesel.
The last week of May, 2008, I was
fortunate enough to partake in the MATC Biomass and
Biodiesel Train the Trainer course as part of his preparation for teaching
Biodiesel topics courses at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. This was a
fun and highly-instructive class put on by Ken, Paul, and the MATC diesel-power gang. MATC frequently offers
a 3-day biodiesel course for the general public, though this specialty course
included ethanol and biomass topics. It was great fun and I learn a lot,
particularly about biodiesel testing.
The MATC Biodiesel Processor
This batch-style unit has a reactor equipped with a
computer-controlled temperature feedback system, three internal temperature
probes, 2 mammoth, oil-specific, low-wattage-density heating elements, and a
stout stainless vessel and frame. This, along with the methoxide and washing
tanks, are mounted over a stout, behemoth secondary containment system. This
system not only catches spills, but in the event of catastrophic failure, could
catch and hold all the fluid from all the tanks mounted above it.
Biodiesel Quality Testing
For the
course, we performed a number of biodiesel fuel quality tests. Many of these
tests are simple and can be performed at-home, with simple materials or test
kits.
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1) Penske-Martin flash point tester. Testing for the biodiesel flash
point is simple. The sample is heated in this unit while the temperature
is monitored. Incrementally, the temperature is increase and a flame is
used to attempt to ignite the vapors of the sample. The temperature at
which this ignition occurs is the sample flash point.
3) Cloud point testing. Using an ice bath and a thermometer, we chilled
samples of biodiesel. The temperature at which the fuel clouded (formed
"snow")was the cloud point. We needed salt water, as our particular
sample never clouded.
Still adding more tests...
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2) Testing of the specific gravity of various blends of biodiesel. Using
hygrometers we were able to determine the percent blend of biodiesel in
each sample.
4) We used the pHLip tests as well. These test for reaction
completeness; mono- and di-glycerides are detected at the interface
between the sample and the test material. The test material will change
colors if the fuel is unwashed or oxidized (old). I've been working with
Ken to test a "knock off" version of the pHLip which has a
more-affordable price. If the tests correlate well, I'll let everyone
know. (click on the photo for close-up detail)
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Ethanol Distillation Lab
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1) Here, the wine we'll later distill is being uncorked. No corkscrews,
so creative measures were needed. The distillation process was
pleasantly fragrant. |
2) This is the fractionating column we used to distill the ethanol from
the wine. The design permitted the production of a much higher
concentration alcohol. (click on the photo for close-up detail) |
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The MATC Biodiesel Diesel Engine
Menagerie
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