Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Process analysis and optimization of biodiesel production from soybean oil

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The overall goal of this work is to design and optimize a biodiesel production process from soybean oil. To achieve this goal, several inter-connected activities were undertaken. First, an initial flowsheet for the process was synthesized. The performance of this flowsheet along with the key design and operating criteria were identified by conducting computer-aided simulation using ASPEN Plus. Various scenarios were simulated to provide sufficient understanding and insights and to select a base-case flowsheet. Next, mass and energy integration studies were performed to reduce the consumption of material and energy utilities, improve environmental impact, and enhance profitability. Capital cost estimation was carried out using the ICARUS Process Evaluator computer-aided tool linked to the results of the ASPEN Plus simulation. The operating cost of the process was estimated using the key information on process operation such as raw materials, utilities, and labor. A profitability analysis was carried out by examining the return on investment and the payback period. It was found that the cost of soybean oil is the largest contributor to the production cost. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the effect of soybean oil prices on the process profitability.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson D, Masterson D, McDonald B, Sullivan L (2003) Industrial Biodiesel Plant Design and Engineering: Practical Experience. Crown Iron Works Company. Presented at International Palm Oil Conference (PIPOC), Malaysia

  • Allen M, Prateepchaikul G (2006) The modeling of the biodiesel reaction. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of engineering. Prince of Songkla University, Hadyai, Thailand

    Google Scholar 

  • API (2006) http://www.api.org/aboutoilgas/diesel/index.cfm. Accessed October 13, 2006

  • EIA (2005) International Energy Annual 2003: System for the analysis of Global Energy Market. http://www.eia.doe.gov/eia/2003.2030. Accessed March 21, 2006

  • El-Halwagi MM (2006) Process integration. In: Process Systems Engineering, vol. 7. Academic Press-Elsevier, Amsterdam

  • El-Halwagi MM (1997) Pollution prevention through process integration. Academic Press, California

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerpen JV (2005) Biodiesel processing and production. Fuel Process Technol 86:1097–1107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerpen J, Shanks B, Pruszko R (2004) Biodiesel production technology. Subcontractor Report, NREL/SR-510-36244

  • Ghadge SV, Raheman H (2006) Process optimization for biodiesel production from mahua (Madhuca indica) oil using response surface methodology. Bioresour Technol 97:379–384

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hass MJ, McAloon AJ, Yee WC, Foglia TA (2006) A process model to estimate biodiesel production costs. Bioresour Technol 97:671–678

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kotrba R (2006) Bound by determination. Biodiesel Magazine, October issue, p 42

  • Leung D, Guo Y (2006) Transesterification of neat and used frying oil: optimization for biodiesel production. Fuel Process Technol 87:883–890

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noureddini H, Zhu D (1997) Kinetics of transesterificaiton of soybean oil. JAOCS 74:1457–1463

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • NBB (2006) National Biodiesel Board. Biodiesel Production and Quality. http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/npbf/pdfs/40555.pdf. Accessed October 9, 2006

  • Schuchardt U, Ricardo S, Vargas R, Instituto de Quimica (1997) Transesterification of vegetable oils: a review. Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campus de Ondina, Brazil

  • Tapasvi D, Wiesenborn D, Gustafson (2004). Presented at 2004 North Central ASAE/CSAE Conference: process modeling approach for evaluating the economic feasibility of Biodiesel Production

  • Tyson KS, McCormick RL (2006). Biodiesel handling and use guide, 3rd edn. Technical Report NREL/TP-450-40555

  • USDA (2006) Oil crops situation and outlook yearbook, OCS-2006, Economic Research Service

  • Vicente G, Martínez M, José A (2004) Integrated biodiesel production: a comparison of different homogeneous catalyst system. Bioresour Technol 92:297–305

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zang Y, Dube M, Mclean D, Kates M (2003) Biodiesel production from waste cooking oil: 1. Process design and technological assessment. Bioresour Technol 89:1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zadra R (2006) Presentation: improving process efficiency by the usage of alcholates in the biodiesel production, Marketing and Sales Industrial Chemicals-BASF, March 16th 2006

Download references

Acknowledgments

The financial support by a grant from the US Department of Energy, and US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Center (grant # USDA NRCS 68-3A75-3-152) and the National Science Foundation project OISE 0710936 are gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3122, USA

    Lay L. Myint & Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi

Authors
  1. Lay L. Myint
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Myint, L.L., El-Halwagi, M.M. Process analysis and optimization of biodiesel production from soybean oil. Clean Techn Environ Policy 11, 263–276 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-008-0156-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-008-0156-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation