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Development of Lipofuel: Biokerosene and
Biodiesel
Expedito Parente
Brazilian
Tecbio`s Biodiesel Process is based upon transesterification
of vegetable oils and animal fat with methanol or ethanol in excess,
in the presence of NaOH or KOH as catalyst.
The reaction is endothermic and takes place at atmospheric pressure
and 25-37 degree centigrade, and generates methyl or ethyl esters
(biodiesel) and crude glycerin as by-product.
The process starts with raw material pre-treatment, in order
to eliminate humidity and acidity excess. After the transesterification,
happens the two phases separation, followed by the alcohol excess
recovery and dehydration. The light phase contains biodiesel to
be purified by water washing, acid treatment and crying. The heavier
one is by-product glycerin (around 70%) together with residues
(water, soap, etc) to be destillated.
Investment Analysis of Tecbio biodiesel plant
Basis: Capacity of 90 m3/day by methanol route (plant presently
under start-up).
- Energy consumption:
Thermal: 500.000 kcal m3 biodiesel
Electric: 80 kwh/m3 biodiesel
- Investment budget (fixed): US$ million
|
Civil construction |
0.6 |
|
Utilities and storage tanks |
2.7 |
|
Process equipments |
3.0 |
|
Others (pre-operating expenses, technology, etc) |
0.7 |
|
Total |
7.0 |
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Internal rate of return: 30% ; Break-even
point: 38%
Note: Assuming selling price of R$ 2,00/liter of biodiesel.
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Comparison with other technology of the same
kind in cost and return:
Complete information still not available for another batch
transesterification process.
-
Comparison with traditional fossil energy
of same capacity:
This comparison is not possible because diesel oil is not
produced individually.
-
Potential market for biodiesel in Brazil:
Current year: 800.000 m3 (2% addition of biodiesel)
In 2013: 3.000.000 m3 (5% addition of biodiesel)
Starting January 2008 its addition to diesel oil
will be mandatory by law.
About 85 pct of diesel oil goes to fuel service stations, and
the rest is consumed in electricity generators and agriculture
machines. Biodiesel production will be sold to fuel distributors
(who will be add it to diesel oil), to captive consumers oil,
and exported at competitive prices.
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