From orchids to biodiesel: Coco coir as an effective drywash material for biodiesel fuel

Raw biodiesel requires purification to remove excess methanol, unreacted and/or partially reacted starting material(s), and residual catalyst. The common practice for biodiesel purification is a series of water washes. These water washes are time consuming, generate a large aqueous waste stream, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fuel processing technology 2018-07, Vol.176, p.1-6
Main Authors: Ott, Lisa S., Riddell, Meghan M., O'Neill, Elizabeth L., Carini, Genessee S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biodegradability
Biodiesel fuels
Biodiesel purification
Calcium ions
Coco coir
Coir
Drying agents
Drywash
Fibers
Flowers & plants
Fuels
Industry standards
Membrane filters
Methanol
Water purification
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Summary:Raw biodiesel requires purification to remove excess methanol, unreacted and/or partially reacted starting material(s), and residual catalyst. The common practice for biodiesel purification is a series of water washes. These water washes are time consuming, generate a large aqueous waste stream, and can lead to saponification and subsequent emulsion formation. To eliminate water washes, solid materials which are capable of purifying the biodiesel after a short residence time are currently the subject of active investigation. Herein, we investigate the use of coco coir, a product of coconut husks commonly used as orchid planting material, as a bio-derived, biodegradable, and inexpensive drywash material for biodiesel fuel. Overall, we find that coco fiber (1) removes soap concentrations of >3000 ppm in one pass through the column; (2) treats raw biodiesel at volumes which meet or exceed current industry standards; (3) is stable and effective for a time period greater than five years; (4) does not raise free fatty acid levels above acceptable levels; (5) does not add Ca2+ or Mg2+ to the purified fuel; (6) reduces methanol to acceptable levels; and (7) removes free glycerol, even when biodiesel samples are spiked with artificially large quantities of free glycerol. [Display omitted] •Coco coir removes soap, methanol, and glycerol from raw biodiesel.•Coco coir does not leach any undesirable products into biodiesel.•Coco coir is nonporous and is stable and effective for >5 years.•Coco coir is inexpensive, readily available, renewable, and biodegradable.
ISSN:0378-3820
1873-7188
DOI:10.1016/j.fuproc.2018.02.023