DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PILOT PLANT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM COTTONSEED OIL
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PILOT PLANT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM COTTONSEED OIL
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Date
2007-10
Authors
MUSA, IDRIS ATADASHI
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Abstract
A pilot plant was designed and constructed for the production of twenty (20) litres
of biodiesel per batch from cottonseed oil. SUPER PRO design software was used to
design the transesterification reactor, mixer and heat exchanger. These were constructed
locally, the equipment installed, and the plant commissioned. Results of runs carried out
indicated that time of reaction greatly affects the yield of the biodiesel and its quality.
The results have shown that reaction time of 1hr for transesterification yielded biodiesel
of best physico-chemical properties and most importantly yielded 95.02% of methylesters
(biodiesel), signifying most profitable operation. The compositional analysis of the
methylesters was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The
physico-chemical properties were compared with E.U. (EN14214) and ASTM (D6751)
standard properties of biodiesel and found to fall within the standards. The economic
analysis indicated that the value of Discounted Cash Flow Rate of Return (DCFRR) was
31.4%, and the Rate of Return (ROR), was 27.5%. The Pay Back Period of this plant has
been calculated to be approximately 4 years indicating that the plant is economically
viable.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POST GRADUATE SCHOOL,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER
OF SCIENCE IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
October, 2007
Keywords
DESIGN,, CONSTRUCTION,, PILOT,, PLANT,, PRODUCTION,, BIODIESEL,, COTTON,, SEED,, OIL,