Keeping It Safe, Keeping It Legal

Transcription

1 DIY Biodiesel: Keeping It Safe, Keeping It Legal A curriculum for agricultural producers By NCAT energy specialist Rich Dana

2 This webinar is being recorded and will be posted to the ATTRA Web site, Look for it here. We will also post a PDF of the presentation.

3 Safety and permitting Personal safety Workspace safety Materials handling Waste stream handling Methanol Compatibility with equipment Environmental safety Biodiesel production permitting considerations Zoning Air quality and construction permits Operating permit Dispensing issues

4 Review: How biodiesel is made Webinar: Getting Started in On-Farm Biodiesel Production video/#biodiesel

5 Introduction: What is biodiesel? A permanently thinned vegetable oil A diesel fuel replacement or additive Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine in any proportion from 1-100% with little or no modifications to the engine Must meet ASTM Photo by XXXX. add slide 4 from old webianr, rich s

6 Few or no engine modifications High cetane number and excellent lubricity Very high flashpoint (>300 F) makes for safer handling and storage Relatively low cost, low tech to produce Advantages of biodiesel Tractor can run on biodiesel with no modification. Photo by Howard Haines, MT DEQ.

7 Farm and community-scale biodiesel production Safe and simple Inexpensive Environmentally friendly Diversifies the farm Builds community Reduces oil dependence The workshop crew at Yoderville Biodiesel Collective. Photo by Steve Fugate.

8 Disadvantages of biodiesel Lower energy content Poor cold weather performance Stability concerns The bottle on the right is after one hour at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Photo by Rich Dana.

9 The chemistry of biodiesel All fats and oils are made up primarily of triglycerides free fatty acids and 7-13 percent glycerol (alcohol) Transesterification describes the reaction where glycerol is replaced with a lighter and less viscous alcohol, e.g. methanol or ethanol A catalyst (KOH or NaOH) is needed to break the glycerol-fa bonds + 3 = 3 + Fatty acid Glycerin Alcohol

10 The chemistry of biodiesel Almost any vegetable oil or animal fat combined with methyl or ethyl alcohol and a catalyst One pound of glycerin created for every 10 pounds of biodiesel These photo illustrate various process designs. At left is the Appleseed process, at center is a BioPro design, and the system at right is homemade

11 Have a whole systems approach to safety Plan and build your system for safety Have an emergency preparedness plan Familiarize yourself with local restrictions Maintain your equipment A quality workshop. Photos by Steve Fugate. Properly labeled used fryer oil.

12 Personal safety Safety Gear Gloves Butyl or Nitrile Goggles Indirect venting Clothing Wear workboots, long sleeves and apron Respirators/ particle mask For handling catalyst, not for methanol vapors For methanol EXTERNAL AIR NEEDED Photo courtesy clipart.com.

13 Safety gear Emergency Eye wash First aid kit Access to running water Telephone Personal safety Photo courtesy clipart.com.

14 Workplace safety Ventilation Wiring Fire Spill containment A well-organized farm-scale processing facility. Photo courtesy

15 Workplace safety Ventilation Wiring Fire Spill containment A messy shop is a danger to children and pets.. Photo courtesy

16 Workplace safety: Ventilation Your shop MUST be well ventilated The OSHA PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) for methanol vapors is 200 ppm Ventilation fans should have sealed motors Methanol recovery can reduce risks Properly ventilated dryer unit. Photo courtesy

17 Workplace safety: Wiring Bad wiring, electrical may be your biggest danger! Prevent sparks, static Breaker your equipment Bonding and grounding is essential Hard wire equipment,use switches, not plugs! Out-of-date wiring can be dangerous. Photo by Rich Dana.

18 Workplace safety: Fire Biodiesel IS NOT a fire hazard Fire triangle Fuel Gasoline Diesel Methanol Biodiesel Flashpoint temperature -40 F 143 F 54 F 300 F Oxygen Heat Chemical reaction Fuel

19 Workplace safety: Fire This is a biodiesel shop fire caused by faulty wiring. Photo courtesy Canby, Ore. Fire Dept.

20 Workplace safety: Fire Extreme heat melted this plastic processor. Photo courtesy Canby, Ore. Fire Dept.

21 Workplace safety: Fire Photo courtesy Canby, Ore. Fire Dept.

22 Workplace safety: Fire Rodents can cause electrical fires. Photo by from

23 Workplace safety: Fire An ansul system can suppress fires. A shop should have fire extinguishers installed. Eliminate static and sparks Install fire suppression/extinguishers Oil soaked rags or sawdust can spontaneously combust Communicate with first responders Photos courtesy

24 Workplace safety: Spill containment Concrete floor with curb under equipment and storage Degreaser and oil-dry Check with state, what is reportable amount? An ester machine. Photo by Steve Fugate.

25 Materials handling: Oil Avoid using open drums for transport Utilize spill containment Use oil-dry or sawdust for clean-up Avoid washing into stormdrains or ditches Oil stored in a secure container. Photo courtesy

26 Materials handling: Methanol Overexposure to methanol can cause neurological damage and other health problems; and it presents a serious fire risk 1,000 ppm will produce symptoms such as irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes 5,000 ppm will result in a stupor or sleepiness 50,000 ppm will result in narcosis (deep unconsciousness) in one or two hours, probably resulting in death WARNING DANGEROUS FUMES

27 Materials handling: Methanol Handling methanol is the biggest fire threat Static can build up in PVC or plastic containers Pumps, motors should be sealed Photo courtesy clipart.com.

28 Materials handling: Catalyst Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) are corrosive and may be fatal if ingested Skin contact can cause severe burns and should be thoroughly flushed with water or a dilute vinegar solution Inhalation of the solid NaOH or KOH is possible in dust-sized particles NaOH, KOH and concentrated solutions should never contact aluminum as they will create explosive hydrogen gas Fine particles of NaOH or KOH will produce holes in clothing, thus a protective apron or jumpsuit is advised Photo courtesy clipart.com.

29 Glycerol: Have a disposal plan burn or use as fertilizer DO NOT DUMP Wash Water Keep out of septic system Trash, rags Can combust spontaneously Waste stream handling A washwater spill. Photo from

30 Compatibility with equipment Warranties Fuel-related problems Cold weather issues Older equipment can be run on 100-percent biodiesel. Photo by Ericka Dana.

31 All safety issues are environmental issues Air issues Water issues Practical vs. legal Environmental safety Messy shops can cause problems. Photo by Steve Fugate.

32 Biodiesel production permitting considerations Every attempt has been made to provide the best possible guidance associated with biodiesel production but due to the complex regulatory structure, local variance, and a rapidly evolving environment, definitive information cannot be given for every location Permitting is extremely complex and can easily take 6 months or more Even if your facility is exempt from permitting requirements, it may be subject to complaint-based or discretionary enforcement

33 There is no state or local guidance pertaining to this sort of activity Biodiesel production falls under SIC code 2869 and NAICS Non-commercial production Under 25,000 gallons production No employees Outside the box activity Yoderville Biodiesel Collective. Photo by Steve Fugate.

34 Oil collection Some cities regulate collection containers Used fryer oil is considered solid waste and will be treated as municipal waste for transportation purposes Some areas require chain of ownership documentation Spill protection gear Professional spill remediation Insurance? Proper oil collection. Photos by Steve Fugate. Commercial render oil spill.

35 Zoning Biodiesel production falls under SIC code 2869 and NAICS Consult with planning and zoning department ahead of operations, a conditional use permit may be an option Methanol will be an issue in town, a fireproof cabinet will be required and no more than 120 gallons in any single workspace. Workspaces must be separated by fire proof walls DANGER

36 Air quality and construction permits Air quality permit may be required for plants emitting more than 5 tons VOCs or NOX if in a non-attainment area Small non-commercial plants are usually exempt if they are not operating an internal combustion engine or boiler to power facility and are not part of a larger operation If no ground is being disturbed a construction permit usually is not required, but check with DNR, DEQ first Education is important. Photo by Steve Fugate.

37 Some states may require an operating permit that is often based on the construction permit Some counties require an operating permit even if the state does not require a construction or air quality permit Some counties have no deminimus threshold thereby requiring a permit for ANY VOC release On-farm production considerably reduces oversight Operating permit? Properly labeled oil storage. Photo by Steve Fugate.

38 Wash water Wash water may not be put down drain without written permission; most municipal waste water treatment plants can not handle it Land application may be appropriate but a permit must be obtained from DNR or DEQ or whatever agency has jurisdiction in your state Wash water chemistry (depends on methods BOD 780mg/L Total Kjeidalh N ranging from 9-15 Nitrate + Nitrite ranging from.1-6 Total phosphorus around 5.7 Total potassium around 970 mg/l Wash water. Photo by Steve Fugate.

39 Glycerol It is very important to find a legitimate use for your glycerol so that it not be a hazardous waste but remains only a hazardous material. Storage for more than a year may trigger a hazardous waste determination Can be burned in a waste oil burner but usually must be diluted; has a BTU rating around 95,000 Has value as boiler fuel but arrange for disposal Glycerol may be land applied, used for dust control or fed to livestock under certain conditions and has a similar feed value to corn Biodiesel being washed with water. Photo by Rich Dana.

40 EPA and state regulation of storage tanks EPA requires Spill Containment, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plans for facilities with over 1320 gallons of combined storage The EPA regulates spills to waterways of 40 gallons or more and must be reported to the National Response Center along with spill of Methanol over 758 gallons or 1,000 pounds of KOH or MeOH All storage tanks over gallons (depending on the state) must have secondary containment Cube oil containers are not appropriate for long-term storage. Photo by Steve Fugate. These regulations change frequently; check with your state environmental agency

41 Dispensing issues Introduction of fuel into commerce ASTM UL listing Tax Liability, Federal Letter of Activity M(637) and Form 720 to pay road use tax, due quarterly State road use taxes due monthly Renewable Identification Number (RIN) required for < 20,000 gallons per year production Safe pumping gear. Photos by Steve Fugate.

42 Supporting documents and links Biodiesel Safety and Best Management Practices for Small Scale Non-Commercial Use and Production EPA Biodiesel Production Facilities Manual Wisconsin Small Scale Biofuels Producer Program Guidelines Guidelines.pdf Biodiesel use and handling guidelines Making biodiesel at home

43 Contact us Next ATTRA biodiesel webinar: Taxation and Production Incentives