Triglycerides Used As Greenhouse Burner Fuels: 2010 Project Update

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1 Triglycerides Used As Greenhouse Burner Fuels: 2010 Project Update Ralph Turner, P.E. Laughing Stock Farm Freeport, Maine Prepared For Presentation at: Farm Energy Conference March 16, 2010

2 Production At Laughing Stock 2, 2500 SF Heated A-Frame Houses 1, 7500 SF Heated Gutter Connect House Fall, Winter, & Spring; Greens and Roots; Summer; Peppers, Eggplant and Tomatoes 1, 1700 SF Heated Tunnel Summer Peppers, Spring Seedlings 1, 3000 SF Unheated 3-Season Tunnel Season Extension of Field Vegetable Crops 7 Acres of Summer Vegetables and Cut Flowers. 1 Acre of Peonies for Cut Flowers. 4 Acres of Green Manure. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 2

3 Why an Update? Single most asked question: Are you guys still doing that vegetable oil heating thing? Answer: YES!!! Because it works. Our farm could not exist in its current form without this technology. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 3

4 Governor s Carbon Challenge 2008 Laughing Stock Farm was awarded use of the Environmental Leader logo for carbon emission reduction by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 4

5 Triglyceride Burner Fuel (TBF) Made Possible By A Maine Department Of Agriculture Development Grant Goal Was To Demonstrate New Use Of Existing Commercially Available Technology Purpose: To Reduce Heating Costs To Develop A More Environmentally Sound Solution Than Petroleum and Biodiesel To Develop A Local Community Solution That Also Helps Restaurants March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 5

6 Combustion of Triglycerides Old Technology On Industrial Scale Used in food industry for many decades. Used in pulp and paper industry for many decades. Investigated at the University of Georgia in New Technology On Commercial Scale Successful real world field trial in 8th year (over 15,000 gph) at Laughing Stock Farm in Maine. Based on our work, this technology has been adopted for warehouse heating by: Barber Foods in Maine Friendly s Restaurants in Massachusetts Schwann s Frozen Foods in Minnesota Walmart in Colorado March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 6

What Are Triglycerides Animal fats and vegetable oils are triglycerides. Three fatty acids attached to a glycerin backbone. Oils tend to be unsaturated where fats are more saturated.

7 What Are Triglycerides Animal fats and vegetable oils are triglycerides. Three fatty acids attached to a glycerin backbone. Oils tend to be unsaturated where fats are more saturated. Moisture (Hydrolysis), Cooking (High Temperature), and Oxidation result in fatty acids breaking off the glycerin to resulting in free fatty acids, diglycerides, monoglycerides, glycerin, and various polymers. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 7

8 Important TBF Oil Properties TBF freeze and thaw: Freezes at 10 to 90 deg F. Melts at 30 to 110 deg F. Flash Points: Fatty acid flash point is 350 to 400 deg F. Glycerin flash point is ~390 deg F. BTU content is ~126,000 BTU/gal. No.2 heating oil is 143,000 BTU/gal. Biodiesel is 117,000 BTU/gal. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 8

9 Energy Content of Various Fuels BTU/Lb BTU/gal Chicken Fat* Yellow Grease* Choice White Grease* Tallow* No.2* Biodiesel *University of Georgia; A Demonstration of Fats and Grease as Industrial Boiler Fuel. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 9

10 Combustion Air Emissions Air Emissions Reductions Carbon Monoxide B100 B20 Triglyceride -43.2% -12.6% -30.0% Hydrocarbons -56.3% -11.0% Not Reported Particulates -55.4% -18.0% Very Low Nitrogen Oxides 5.8% 1.2% -5.0% Sulfur Oxides -100% Emissions reductions are from petroleum fueled diesel engines for B100 and B20, and from No. 2 petroleum fueled industrial boiler for triglyceride as reported by the University of Georgia. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 10

Settle Store in Heated Day Tank Burn in Clean Burn Burner

11 Update of Demonstrated Solution: Collection Winch and Forks for Drum Handling Storage Drum Warming Transfer Strain and Settle Store in Heated Day Tank Burn in Clean Burn Burner Field Trial Economics March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 11

Restaurant employees empty the used oil into drums and attach the

12 Collection Drums with covers and locking bands are set at large volume restaurants. Restaurant employees empty the used oil into drums and attach the cover to keep water and small animals out of the drums. I got my first opossum in 2009 March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 12

Small volume restaurants hold TBF in original fry oil containers.

13 Storage Drums with covers and locking bands are set on pallets outside for long term storage. Small volume restaurants hold TBF in original fry oil containers. The small containers are processed immediately and stored in tanks or drums. Cardboard and PE jugs are recycled. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 13

Drums are covered with bubble wrap insulation (Drum Cozy) to

14 Drum Warming Warming is done on concrete slab with PEX tubing embedded for hot water heat (200 F) from the used oil boiler. Drums are covered with bubble wrap insulation (Drum Cozy) to speed the warming process. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 14

15 Transfer Warm liquid oil is sucked from drums and pumped to strain and settling tanks. Pump is ~15-18 gallons per minute gear pump, driven by 2 HP electric motor. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 15

Strain and Settle Course strained oil is discharged to strain and settling

Oil is heated to ~120F-140 F and allowed to settle for ~24-72 hours.

with collected water and solids into manure compost pile.

16 Strain and Settle Course strained oil is discharged to strain and settling tank. Relatively clean oil is discharged to settling tank. Oil is heated to ~120F-140 F and allowed to settle for ~24-72 hours. Free water and flowable sediment are drawn from the bottom valve and mixed with collected water and solids into manure compost pile. Clean oil is sucked from a standpipe ~5 above the tank invert for transfer to the day tank. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 16

17 Strain and Settle Tank Diagram March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 17

18 Store in Heated Day Tank Cleaned oil is then pumped into heated storage day tank. Tank and fuel delivery piping are heat traced with PEX tubing, and insulated to keep oil at ~ deg F. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 18

Burn In Clean Burn Burner Warm, cleaned TBF is burned

compressed air to enhance atomization and combustion.

$point fractions.$

19 Burn In Clean Burn Burner Warm, cleaned TBF is burned in a Clean Burn used oil burner using oil heaters and compressed air to enhance atomization and combustion. Ceramic cylinder in combustion chamber radiates heat back at flame to aid in combustion of high flash point fractions. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 19

Approximate labor to collect, handle, clean TBF, and maintain system, assuming $15.

20 Most Recent Economics Economic benefit from TBF during 2008/2009 heating season: 9,185 gallons TBF used x $0.51/gal = $4,684. Approximate labor to collect, handle, clean TBF, and maintain system, assuming $15.00/Hr burdened labor rate. Cost has NOT increased since No. 2 oil averaged $2.98/gal for 2008/9. Up >100% since Differential: (9,185*2.98)-4684=$22,687. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 20

21 Summary The Elements Necessary For Success Environmental Benefit Proved! Economic Benefit Proved! Standard Fuel Specification In Progress Fuel Burning Appliance Standard In Progress March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 21

22 American Society For Testing Materials March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 22

23 Comparison of Various Fuels Fuel Prop. Units Diesel No. 2 (S500) No. 4 No. 5 Light) Biodiesel Triglyceride Fuel Std D975 D D D D6751 AOCS/ASTM Fuel Comp C10-C21 HC NR NR NR C12-C22 C8-C22 LHV BTU/gal 131,295 NR NR NR 117, ,000 Kin.Visc.@40C 1.3 to to to 24 5 to to to kg/l 0.85 NR NR NR Water <161 ppm 0.05% Vol 0.5% Vol 1.0% Vol <0.05% <1.0% Carbon wt % 87 NR NR NR Hydrogen wt % 13 NR NR NR Oxygen wt % 0 NR NR NR Sulfur wt % < % 0.10% 0.15% 0.0 to Flash Point C 60 to to to 180 Cloud Point C -15 to 5 NR NR NR -3 to 12-5 to 20 Pour Point C -35 to NR -15 to 10-5 to 20 Stoich.A/F Ratio wt/wt 15 NR NR NR Ultimate CO2 NR NR NR NR NR March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 23

24 Underwriters Laboratories The UL label confirms for building officials that the appliance has been tested and approved by a third party testing agency and found to operate safely. The label lists each approved fuel. No burner manufacturer can include TBF until ASTM first passes the standard specification for the fuel. March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 24

25 Potential For Maine Agriculture 1.5 Million GPY of (UCO) TBF Available in Maine 3-6 Million GPY of YG Available from 450 Million GPY Medium Distillate Petroleum Used in Maine for Heating Maine Available (UCO) TBF Could: Heat 40 Acres of Greenhouses Distributed Across Maine Contribute ~$6 Million in Gross Farm Revenue Save ~ $2.25 Million in Restaurant Used Oil Disposal Costs Do This With NO Haz Mats, Minimal Transportation, NO Multi- Million Dollar Process Plant, NO Legislative Support Actions March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 25

26 Conclusions TBF can be a sound local solution for some businesses. TBF will not solve the worlds energy problems. Standards are necessary for commercial acceptance. Ralph Turner, P.E. Freeport, Maine ralph@rturner.com March 16, 2010 Farm Energy Conference 26

Background on Biodiesel

Background on Biodiesel Jon Van Gerpen Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering University of Idaho Moscow, ID 83844 (208) 885-7891 jonvg@uidaho.edu Sustainable Transportation on Campus September