With an increasing concern in environmental protection, biodiesel is an advanced fuel that is produced through chemical means from plant- and animal-based feedstock sources. As not every feedstock has the same composition, processes need to be advanced to remove a variety of unwanted metals, phosphorus, and sulfur. If these compounds remain in the finished product, they will be emitted when the biodiesel is combusted. Sulfur was the main concern in this research because most of the cheapest feedstocks have a high sulfur content. Additionally, there are strict specifications for sulfur content in Onroad (highway) fuel. An investigation of the literature revealed ten sulfur compounds that are common to animal fat-based feedstocks. Standards of these compounds were prepared in methyl oleate as simulated biodiesel. Oleic acid is one of the largest fatty acid components in animal-based feedstocks, accounting for 37-56%. This research evaluates a variety of chemical means and physical methods to remove the sulfur compounds. Eight different filter aids and pre-treatment methods were tested at 1, 5, and 10% on these sulfur standards with varying temperatures and lengths of reaction time to determine the optimal conditions. Most filter aids had a significant impact on desulfurization depending on the properties of the individual sulfur compounds, with silica gel having the greatest impact on decreasing sulfur content overall. The complete results of all the sulfur removal methods will be reported.

Evaluation of removal methods of sulfur compounds from simulated biodiesel

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.