This was a very relevant project to today’s society. Although biodiesel is not currently competitive economically (especially due to all the costs involved in making the technology needed to produce it), this would be a great project to continue. In the future, groups should ensure that their catalyst is functioning properly before using it. The method for testing the catalyst is very complex and would have to be done by an outside source, but it would be worth it to know that the catalyst is not poisoned. Also, if there were still problems in the lab, the use of ultrasonics for dynamic mixing would be a good possibility. Loyola has access to an ultrasonic cleaner which could agitate the reaction mechanically in order to promote mixing and enhance results if needed.
Additionally, it would be essential to do further research regarding the CFD-ACE+ software to ensure that everything is scaled properly. We were satisfied with the results that we obtained from the simulations; however, there was no way of telling for sure that those results were accurate. Therefore, once the laboratory tests are successful, comparisons should be made between the simulations and the experimental results. At least five simulations should be run with a given set of parameters and five laboratory tests should be run with those same parameters to test for compatibility. Once results begin to agree, new values may be acquired to optimize a commercial scale design. Lastly, to help make this project more cost-effective and beneficial, it would be a good idea to look into less expensive feed stocks, or even waste materials from kitchens. Often times restaurants dispose of a lot of cooking oils, but if a way could be figured out to purify these waste oils and then use them to produce biodiesel, that would be a great step in the right direction. Clearly, there are many ways to improve upon this project and we would like to see it carried out by future groups.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Project Management
Above is a detailed layout of the way we approached the semester. We set timelines for different tasks and assigned specific jobs to each member to share the work load evenly. By sticking to this, we were ultimately able to produce an effective presentation and written report, despite failing in the lab.
Project Budget
The above table shows that the total cost for the entire project was $96.21 and this project had a $1,000 budget. Clearly, the group was very frugal with its money. Because the total cost of the project would have amounted to $3,792.19 without the aid of Loyola University and its donated items, the group was very diligent in obtaining items for free when at all possible. The group proved that making use of connections and all possible resources is a viable way to reduce the cost of a potentially expensive project.
Solar Energy
Here is a photo of the solar array that we used in our lab tests.
The Green Machine makes use of photovoltaics for solar powered energy. The solar array will be used to power both the pump and the immersion heater of the Green Machine’s design. For the current solar array being used by the group, as shown above, each solar cell is rated at 1000 W/m2. In the laboratory setup, the solar cells are wired to a SunGuard Solar Controller. This controller delivers the converted solar energy to a 12V DC lead-acid battery, which connects to an AC-DC Powerverter. Using the Powerverter's output of 115V AC, the Green Machine's immersion bath and syringe pump system is powered. The total solar cell area on this array is 0.147 m2, which only produces 147 W of power. Therefore, calculations were performed to determine the necessary power requirements and solar cell area for the commercial scale-up design. The entire system will require 106.1 kW of power, which means a solar panel area of about 108 m2 is needed. It should be noted that this calculation of solar area adds about 2% extra area than what is specifically needed, as was recommended by research done on solar panels, to ensure that there is ample power available.
The Green Machine makes use of photovoltaics for solar powered energy. The solar array will be used to power both the pump and the immersion heater of the Green Machine’s design. For the current solar array being used by the group, as shown above, each solar cell is rated at 1000 W/m2. In the laboratory setup, the solar cells are wired to a SunGuard Solar Controller. This controller delivers the converted solar energy to a 12V DC lead-acid battery, which connects to an AC-DC Powerverter. Using the Powerverter's output of 115V AC, the Green Machine's immersion bath and syringe pump system is powered. The total solar cell area on this array is 0.147 m2, which only produces 147 W of power. Therefore, calculations were performed to determine the necessary power requirements and solar cell area for the commercial scale-up design. The entire system will require 106.1 kW of power, which means a solar panel area of about 108 m2 is needed. It should be noted that this calculation of solar area adds about 2% extra area than what is specifically needed, as was recommended by research done on solar panels, to ensure that there is ample power available.
Software Simulations
3D flow modeling was used in the CFD-ACE+ program. The following figure shows the unit cell pattern used in the software, which captures the presence of the triangular obstructions within the channel.
Figure 6: Unit cell with triangular obstruction pattern
(Note: A microreactor channel would simply consist of repeating units of this cell)
Using the different values that were determined from the spreadsheet analysis, the group was able to run many different simulations. Table 2 below shows the highlights of a convergence study that was performed to ensure that the design could meet the specification of 100% conversion to biodiesel. Several different tests were run at various molar ratios with excess methanol to drive the reaction and alter the flow rates of the reactants.
Table 2: Convergence study of biodiesel conversion
As the results indicate, a molar ratio of 25:1 for methanol to soy oil produced 100% biodiesel conversion. Both the methanol and soy oil would be completely consumed and there would only be biodiesel remaining. As shown in Figure 7 below, the biodiesel concentration gradually increases as the reactants move down the channel. When the biodiesel is at the end of the channel, the hot pink color indicates that full conversion has occurred, as evidenced by the fact that it is at the maximum on the color coded scale shown below the model.
Figure 7: Biodiesel concentration with 100% conversion
When too little methanol was used in the simulations, soy oil would remain in the channel. However, if too much methanol was used, excess methanol would remain in the channel. Therefore, it was clear that a 25:1 molar ratio was needed to meet specifications. Once this number was finally determined, all the corresponding calculations were carried out using the group's Excel spreadsheet. The actual numbers yielded is discussed in the Final Design post.
Figure 6: Unit cell with triangular obstruction pattern
(Note: A microreactor channel would simply consist of repeating units of this cell)
Using the different values that were determined from the spreadsheet analysis, the group was able to run many different simulations. Table 2 below shows the highlights of a convergence study that was performed to ensure that the design could meet the specification of 100% conversion to biodiesel. Several different tests were run at various molar ratios with excess methanol to drive the reaction and alter the flow rates of the reactants.
Table 2: Convergence study of biodiesel conversion
As the results indicate, a molar ratio of 25:1 for methanol to soy oil produced 100% biodiesel conversion. Both the methanol and soy oil would be completely consumed and there would only be biodiesel remaining. As shown in Figure 7 below, the biodiesel concentration gradually increases as the reactants move down the channel. When the biodiesel is at the end of the channel, the hot pink color indicates that full conversion has occurred, as evidenced by the fact that it is at the maximum on the color coded scale shown below the model.
Figure 7: Biodiesel concentration with 100% conversion
When too little methanol was used in the simulations, soy oil would remain in the channel. However, if too much methanol was used, excess methanol would remain in the channel. Therefore, it was clear that a 25:1 molar ratio was needed to meet specifications. Once this number was finally determined, all the corresponding calculations were carried out using the group's Excel spreadsheet. The actual numbers yielded is discussed in the Final Design post.
Theory for Design
The CFD-ACE+ flow modeling software served as the backbone for the group’s system design. The theory behind this software involves the conservation of mass, conservation of momentum and conservation of energy equations. Together these equations form a set of coupled, nonlinear differential equations. Because these cannot feasibly be determined analytically, this program finds computer-based solutions governing these equations for fluid flow. Also, because the group did not have success in the laboratory, this software became an invaluable resource and guided the process of design selection.
In order to get the software functioning properly, a 3-Dimensional model of the microreactor used in the lab was created. Next, various properties such as density, viscosity, molar mass and chemical formulas of the fluids (soy oil, methanol and biodiesel) were defined. Then, the chemical reaction of transesterification spurred by the NiO catalyst was added to the program. That is, a reaction was added at all surfaces of the microreactor channel in which a molar ratio of 3:1 for methanol to soy oil produced 3 moles of biodiesel. As research from the University of Tennessee indicates, the kinetics of biodiesel formation (soy oil reaction) catalyzed by NiO is first order with a rate constant of k = 0.0002 per second. This value is part of the following relationship:
[soy oil at t] = [soy oil initial] exp(-kt)
where [] means concentration of, and t is time. This rate constant was determined at 80˚C, which is precisely the temperature that the Green Machine operates at. Therefore, this constant was incorporated into the software to determine the rate at which biodiesel was formed in the channel. One other key parameter used in the software is diffusivity. While it is known that soy oil and methanol are very immiscible, meaning they do not readily mix, there is no concrete number for their diffusivity. However, for liquid-liquid diffusivity at elevated temperatures such as 80˚C, a diffusivity of 10-9 N s/m2 is a reasonable assumption. Therefore, this is the value that was used in the CFD-ACE+ software.
Another key tool that aided the software was the use of spreadsheet analysis in Excel. By setting up one spreadsheet, the group was able to manipulate variables and run different simulations in order to optimize results. Clearly, optimization is key to the Green Machine’s design. Essentially what is being optimized is the number of microreactors needed in the system. The goal here is to use as few microreactors as possible to produce 1 gallon of biodiesel in 24 hours, while keeping the pressure drop in each reactor under 1,300 Pa. Consequently, there is an optimal microreactor channel length, residence time, velocity and flow rate that must be found first in order to get the optimal number of microreactors needed. Therefore, the two most important variables to manipulate in the Excel spreadsheet were the length of the microreactor channel and the residence time of the reactants in the channel. By changing these two variables, the group was able to alter the flow rates and velocity of the reactants, and ultimately, the number of microreactors. As a first cut, the group chose a 5 minute residence time to provide ample time for mixing, and a microreactor channel length of 3.5 cm because it was the length of the reactor being used in the lab. Starting with these assumed values, a spreadsheet was set up to calculate flow rates and velocity according to the following two equations:
V = L/t
Q = VA
where t is the residence time, L is the length of the microreactor channel, Q is the flow rate, V is the velocity of the reactants, and A is the cross-sectional area of the channel. As shown, the flow rate is directly related the velocity, and it was essential to know the velocity because the software required a velocity input in order to run simulations. It should be noted that the Q in the above equation represents the total flow rate which is simply the sum of the flow rate of methanol and that of soy oil. In order to get each individual flow rate, it was essential to make use of the chemistry and molar ratios of the two fluids.
The optimization of the Green Machine design was an iterative process. Therefore, the group calculated initial values to fill in an Excel spreadsheet, ran a simulation, analyzed the results, altered the parameters and then repeated the process many times. With the initial values that were chosen of a 5 minute residence time and 3.5 cm microreactor channel, the number of microreactors needed was 15,000. This number was far above the performance specification of 1,000 microreactors or less, and hence, many iterations were performed until the group finally arrived at its final value of 750 microreactors.
In order to get the software functioning properly, a 3-Dimensional model of the microreactor used in the lab was created. Next, various properties such as density, viscosity, molar mass and chemical formulas of the fluids (soy oil, methanol and biodiesel) were defined. Then, the chemical reaction of transesterification spurred by the NiO catalyst was added to the program. That is, a reaction was added at all surfaces of the microreactor channel in which a molar ratio of 3:1 for methanol to soy oil produced 3 moles of biodiesel. As research from the University of Tennessee indicates, the kinetics of biodiesel formation (soy oil reaction) catalyzed by NiO is first order with a rate constant of k = 0.0002 per second. This value is part of the following relationship:
[soy oil at t] = [soy oil initial] exp(-kt)
where [] means concentration of, and t is time. This rate constant was determined at 80˚C, which is precisely the temperature that the Green Machine operates at. Therefore, this constant was incorporated into the software to determine the rate at which biodiesel was formed in the channel. One other key parameter used in the software is diffusivity. While it is known that soy oil and methanol are very immiscible, meaning they do not readily mix, there is no concrete number for their diffusivity. However, for liquid-liquid diffusivity at elevated temperatures such as 80˚C, a diffusivity of 10-9 N s/m2 is a reasonable assumption. Therefore, this is the value that was used in the CFD-ACE+ software.
Another key tool that aided the software was the use of spreadsheet analysis in Excel. By setting up one spreadsheet, the group was able to manipulate variables and run different simulations in order to optimize results. Clearly, optimization is key to the Green Machine’s design. Essentially what is being optimized is the number of microreactors needed in the system. The goal here is to use as few microreactors as possible to produce 1 gallon of biodiesel in 24 hours, while keeping the pressure drop in each reactor under 1,300 Pa. Consequently, there is an optimal microreactor channel length, residence time, velocity and flow rate that must be found first in order to get the optimal number of microreactors needed. Therefore, the two most important variables to manipulate in the Excel spreadsheet were the length of the microreactor channel and the residence time of the reactants in the channel. By changing these two variables, the group was able to alter the flow rates and velocity of the reactants, and ultimately, the number of microreactors. As a first cut, the group chose a 5 minute residence time to provide ample time for mixing, and a microreactor channel length of 3.5 cm because it was the length of the reactor being used in the lab. Starting with these assumed values, a spreadsheet was set up to calculate flow rates and velocity according to the following two equations:
V = L/t
Q = VA
where t is the residence time, L is the length of the microreactor channel, Q is the flow rate, V is the velocity of the reactants, and A is the cross-sectional area of the channel. As shown, the flow rate is directly related the velocity, and it was essential to know the velocity because the software required a velocity input in order to run simulations. It should be noted that the Q in the above equation represents the total flow rate which is simply the sum of the flow rate of methanol and that of soy oil. In order to get each individual flow rate, it was essential to make use of the chemistry and molar ratios of the two fluids.
The optimization of the Green Machine design was an iterative process. Therefore, the group calculated initial values to fill in an Excel spreadsheet, ran a simulation, analyzed the results, altered the parameters and then repeated the process many times. With the initial values that were chosen of a 5 minute residence time and 3.5 cm microreactor channel, the number of microreactors needed was 15,000. This number was far above the performance specification of 1,000 microreactors or less, and hence, many iterations were performed until the group finally arrived at its final value of 750 microreactors.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Root Cause Failure Analysis: Part 2
Initially, the difference in densities of the reactants was believed to be the cause of the squishing effect. To test this theory, CFD-ACE+ software was used to model flow conditions before, at, and after the channel junction. The results appear below in the figure.
Figure 2: Reactant concentration as a function of distance into channel
In the figure above, the pink color represents concentrated soy oil, while the blue color indicates concentrated methanol. A cursory glance at the channel junction confirms that the squishing effect indeed takes place. However, the simulation shows that mixing should occur after about ten unit cells into the mixing channel. This is indicated by a gradual color change from pink and blue to orange. Stronger hues of orange seen further along in the channel indicate more thorough mixing. Therefore, the simulation confirmed suspicions of squishing but also proved it had little impact on the group’s failure to synthesize biodiesel. Furthermore, it was determined that the difference in fluid viscosities was the driving force behind the squishing effect, as opposed to the difference in densities, as originally theorized.
Next, non-ideal temperature was investigated as a possible failure mode. As a general rule of thumb, most chemical reactions increase in rate as temperature increases. In light of this, relatively high reaction temperatures in laboratory experimentations were sought. Tests conducted in the first semester demonstrated a hesitance to increase reaction temperature beyond 60°C due to the boiling point of methanol, which is 62.5°C. Second semester tests utilized reaction temperatures of 70°C and 80°C. The latter temperature was especially important for two reasons. First, the rate constant of the reaction was determined experimentally at this temperature and subsequently used in the software simulation (as will be discussed in detail in the Therory for Design section). Second, full conversion of biodiesel at 80°C was achieved in batch testing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis indicated no presence of biodiesel in the product at both elevated temperatures. To ensure no conversion whatsoever, a test was run at 80°C and its product sent in two samples to UTC for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) testing. These tests also confirmed that no conversion had taken place. Additional information on TLC analysis appears in Appendix C.
Finally, the nickel oxide (NiO) catalyst was investigated as a potential cause of failure. During experimentation, the group had to operate using several critical assumptions. First, it was assumed that the catalyst was reusable, that is, no nickel oxide was consumed in any reaction in the mixing channel. This was a reasonable assumption to make considering catalysts do not participate in their reactions by definition. Second, the group assumed that the catalyst was bonded permanently to the mixing channel walls and was not removed during flow. Finally, it was assumed that the catalyst was indeed active during flow through the channel. The basis for this was a study done by UTC in which nickel oxide was shown to be a viable catalyst for biodiesel synthesis. Comparing the forms of nickel oxide introduced to the reactants in UTC’s batch testing and in the group’s microreactor gave some critical insight in that the former method utilized nickel oxide nanopowder, while the latter used a sputtered catalyst. It was theorized that the force of the nickel oxide against the channel walls during sputtering had deactivated the catalyst, thereby destroying its catalytic properties.
After ruling out bad mixing and non-ideal temperature as possible failure modes, it was determined that deactivation of the NiO catalyst was the root cause of failure.
Figure 2: Reactant concentration as a function of distance into channel
In the figure above, the pink color represents concentrated soy oil, while the blue color indicates concentrated methanol. A cursory glance at the channel junction confirms that the squishing effect indeed takes place. However, the simulation shows that mixing should occur after about ten unit cells into the mixing channel. This is indicated by a gradual color change from pink and blue to orange. Stronger hues of orange seen further along in the channel indicate more thorough mixing. Therefore, the simulation confirmed suspicions of squishing but also proved it had little impact on the group’s failure to synthesize biodiesel. Furthermore, it was determined that the difference in fluid viscosities was the driving force behind the squishing effect, as opposed to the difference in densities, as originally theorized.
Next, non-ideal temperature was investigated as a possible failure mode. As a general rule of thumb, most chemical reactions increase in rate as temperature increases. In light of this, relatively high reaction temperatures in laboratory experimentations were sought. Tests conducted in the first semester demonstrated a hesitance to increase reaction temperature beyond 60°C due to the boiling point of methanol, which is 62.5°C. Second semester tests utilized reaction temperatures of 70°C and 80°C. The latter temperature was especially important for two reasons. First, the rate constant of the reaction was determined experimentally at this temperature and subsequently used in the software simulation (as will be discussed in detail in the Therory for Design section). Second, full conversion of biodiesel at 80°C was achieved in batch testing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis indicated no presence of biodiesel in the product at both elevated temperatures. To ensure no conversion whatsoever, a test was run at 80°C and its product sent in two samples to UTC for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) testing. These tests also confirmed that no conversion had taken place. Additional information on TLC analysis appears in Appendix C.
Finally, the nickel oxide (NiO) catalyst was investigated as a potential cause of failure. During experimentation, the group had to operate using several critical assumptions. First, it was assumed that the catalyst was reusable, that is, no nickel oxide was consumed in any reaction in the mixing channel. This was a reasonable assumption to make considering catalysts do not participate in their reactions by definition. Second, the group assumed that the catalyst was bonded permanently to the mixing channel walls and was not removed during flow. Finally, it was assumed that the catalyst was indeed active during flow through the channel. The basis for this was a study done by UTC in which nickel oxide was shown to be a viable catalyst for biodiesel synthesis. Comparing the forms of nickel oxide introduced to the reactants in UTC’s batch testing and in the group’s microreactor gave some critical insight in that the former method utilized nickel oxide nanopowder, while the latter used a sputtered catalyst. It was theorized that the force of the nickel oxide against the channel walls during sputtering had deactivated the catalyst, thereby destroying its catalytic properties.
After ruling out bad mixing and non-ideal temperature as possible failure modes, it was determined that deactivation of the NiO catalyst was the root cause of failure.
Root Cause Failure Analysis: Part 1
Root Cause Analysis
To investigate possible causes of failure in laboratory experiments, a root cause analysis was conducted. First, the group identified three major components of the experiment design that might contribute to a failure in producing biodiesel. Once these were established, the group carried out thorough investigations into each component in an attempt to rule out components systematically. These investigations involved the use of software simulations, anecdotal evidence, and knowledge of past experiments. This process continued until one component was identified as the root cause. The three components identified were fluid mixing, temperature, and the catalyst.
Owing to the fact that soy oil and methanol are highly immiscible fluids, the group believed it logical to begin the investigation with an analysis of how well these reactants were mixing. A proposed theory of fluid interaction in the mixing channel was that as the reactants met at the channel junction (visible in Figure 5), the soy oil took up the majority of channel volume, thereby “squishing” the methanol against the channel wall. This action was theorized to accelerate the methanol stream through the channel and reduce the possibility of diffusivity at the liquid-liquid interface. Assuming that diffusion only occurs locally at the interface, there are at most two areas in the mixing channel where conversion takes place consistently, namely, the intersection of the liquid-liquid interface with the top and bottom channel walls. These are referred to as activation zones and are defined as locations where soy oil, methanol, and catalyst appear simultaneously.
The figure below shows a basic diagram of the channel cross-section with the locations of the aforementioned activation zones. The left block represents the soy oil steam and the right block represents the methanol stream. Depending on where the interface sets up along the lateral direction of the channel cross-section, further activation zones may exist on the triangular obstructions, which are also coated with the catalyst.
Figure 1: Channel cross-section with arbitrary interface location (not to scale)
To investigate possible causes of failure in laboratory experiments, a root cause analysis was conducted. First, the group identified three major components of the experiment design that might contribute to a failure in producing biodiesel. Once these were established, the group carried out thorough investigations into each component in an attempt to rule out components systematically. These investigations involved the use of software simulations, anecdotal evidence, and knowledge of past experiments. This process continued until one component was identified as the root cause. The three components identified were fluid mixing, temperature, and the catalyst.
Owing to the fact that soy oil and methanol are highly immiscible fluids, the group believed it logical to begin the investigation with an analysis of how well these reactants were mixing. A proposed theory of fluid interaction in the mixing channel was that as the reactants met at the channel junction (visible in Figure 5), the soy oil took up the majority of channel volume, thereby “squishing” the methanol against the channel wall. This action was theorized to accelerate the methanol stream through the channel and reduce the possibility of diffusivity at the liquid-liquid interface. Assuming that diffusion only occurs locally at the interface, there are at most two areas in the mixing channel where conversion takes place consistently, namely, the intersection of the liquid-liquid interface with the top and bottom channel walls. These are referred to as activation zones and are defined as locations where soy oil, methanol, and catalyst appear simultaneously.
The figure below shows a basic diagram of the channel cross-section with the locations of the aforementioned activation zones. The left block represents the soy oil steam and the right block represents the methanol stream. Depending on where the interface sets up along the lateral direction of the channel cross-section, further activation zones may exist on the triangular obstructions, which are also coated with the catalyst.
Figure 1: Channel cross-section with arbitrary interface location (not to scale)
Lab Testing
Laboratory Testing: Methods and Approach
The goal in the lab was to identify and optimize a successful way to produce biodiesel given the project constraints. Using the nickel-oxide coated microreactors and having selected methanol and soy oil as the reactants, the group manipulated other variables based on research and software simulations to identify a successful process. Namely, those variables manipulated specifically in the lab were the temperature, the residence time, and the molar ratio of methanol to soy oil.
The lab set up in the first semester consisted of a syringe pump, heating tape, variac, multimeter, thermistor, micro-reactor, and test tube. A picture of this set-up is shown in Appendix B. The syringe pump was a good positive displacement pump with two syringes (one for each reactant) that could pump each fluid separately until they mixed in the microreactor. After leaving the microreactor, the product flowed into the test tube for collection and testing. The reaction was heated by placing the microreactor on a heating tape whose temperature was controlled by the variac and measured by the multimeter attached to a thermistor. In the second semester, the set-up stayed the same except all the components used for heating the microreactor were switched out for a hot water bath. The microreactors were submerged in heated water and the heat was both controlled and measured by the controls on the hot water bath. Using the hot water bath in the lab was crucial because it was a safer means of heating the reaction. This meant that the process could be left unsupervised, allowing many more tests to be run throughout the semester, despite the slow flow rates of the reactants. Appendix B also shows a picture of this set-up. In the picture, solar power is being used to power the pump and the hot water bath; this shows the success of the solar power goals of the project; however, for research purposes in the lab, no further investigation of the solar power was needed to continue to run experiments, and hence, solar energy will be discussed in more detail later in the paper.
The different variables in the laboratory experiments were controlled by the temperature control and the syringe pump. The residence time was an average time the fluid would be in the reactor given the dimensions of the reactor and the sum of the two flow rates being controlled by the pump. The molar ratio was controlled by the chemistry of the reaction, and could be adjusted if more methanol was desired to drive the reaction. As will be shown later, an excel spreadsheet was made that provides these calculations; by inputting the desired residence time and molar ratio to be tested, the respective flow rate for each reactant was given. Specifically, this spreadsheet analysis will be discussed in detail in the Theory for Design portion of the paper.
As different tests were run at varying speeds, temperatures, and ratios, the data from the software simulations was used to try to gain a better understanding of the nature of the flow and of the reaction within the reactor. By changing the variables in the simulation, different variable combinations were developed that seemed to provide better conditions for the reaction to occur, and then those values would be tested in the lab.
The plan was to then optimize the process and create a final design. This involved finding the optimal temperature for the reaction and finding the most energy efficient way to heat the microreactors. This also involved a balance of flow rate speed and the percentage of completion of the reaction. The faster the flow rate, the better, but it had to be slow enough to allow for the reaction to occur. Optimization also involved a study of what percent of biodiesel produced would be desired in order to make use of the faster initial reaction rates. The group was not actually able to get to the optimization step within the lab, however, because it was never successful in producing biodiesel. Therefore, for the design requirements of the project, the group was forced to move forward with an optimized design based only on theoretical computer simulations, which, unfortunately, have not yet been proven to be consistent with the real-life lab results.
Table 1 below shows the details of the fourteen experiments ran over the course of the year in sequential order. The group initially started out with shorter residence times and an abundance of methanol. Later, it was decided that the reaction was not being given enough time, so the residence times were then greatly lengthened which was possible by the usage of the hot water bath. Using the software, the group also honed in on what was simulated to be a better molar ratio to create flow properties that were best for the reaction. As tests continued to be unsuccessful, the next step, after doing an analysis of the increased internal pressure in the reactors, was to gradually increase the temperature. Originally the group wanted to stay below the boiling point of methanol at atmospheric pressure but gradually became more daring at risking boiling some methanol off in order to go to higher temperatures to try to initiate the reaction. For the final experiment performed, the group sent the results away for analysis by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in order to be sure that the Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis being done in the lab was not missing some amount of biodiesel.
The goal in the lab was to identify and optimize a successful way to produce biodiesel given the project constraints. Using the nickel-oxide coated microreactors and having selected methanol and soy oil as the reactants, the group manipulated other variables based on research and software simulations to identify a successful process. Namely, those variables manipulated specifically in the lab were the temperature, the residence time, and the molar ratio of methanol to soy oil.
The lab set up in the first semester consisted of a syringe pump, heating tape, variac, multimeter, thermistor, micro-reactor, and test tube. A picture of this set-up is shown in Appendix B. The syringe pump was a good positive displacement pump with two syringes (one for each reactant) that could pump each fluid separately until they mixed in the microreactor. After leaving the microreactor, the product flowed into the test tube for collection and testing. The reaction was heated by placing the microreactor on a heating tape whose temperature was controlled by the variac and measured by the multimeter attached to a thermistor. In the second semester, the set-up stayed the same except all the components used for heating the microreactor were switched out for a hot water bath. The microreactors were submerged in heated water and the heat was both controlled and measured by the controls on the hot water bath. Using the hot water bath in the lab was crucial because it was a safer means of heating the reaction. This meant that the process could be left unsupervised, allowing many more tests to be run throughout the semester, despite the slow flow rates of the reactants. Appendix B also shows a picture of this set-up. In the picture, solar power is being used to power the pump and the hot water bath; this shows the success of the solar power goals of the project; however, for research purposes in the lab, no further investigation of the solar power was needed to continue to run experiments, and hence, solar energy will be discussed in more detail later in the paper.
The different variables in the laboratory experiments were controlled by the temperature control and the syringe pump. The residence time was an average time the fluid would be in the reactor given the dimensions of the reactor and the sum of the two flow rates being controlled by the pump. The molar ratio was controlled by the chemistry of the reaction, and could be adjusted if more methanol was desired to drive the reaction. As will be shown later, an excel spreadsheet was made that provides these calculations; by inputting the desired residence time and molar ratio to be tested, the respective flow rate for each reactant was given. Specifically, this spreadsheet analysis will be discussed in detail in the Theory for Design portion of the paper.
As different tests were run at varying speeds, temperatures, and ratios, the data from the software simulations was used to try to gain a better understanding of the nature of the flow and of the reaction within the reactor. By changing the variables in the simulation, different variable combinations were developed that seemed to provide better conditions for the reaction to occur, and then those values would be tested in the lab.
The plan was to then optimize the process and create a final design. This involved finding the optimal temperature for the reaction and finding the most energy efficient way to heat the microreactors. This also involved a balance of flow rate speed and the percentage of completion of the reaction. The faster the flow rate, the better, but it had to be slow enough to allow for the reaction to occur. Optimization also involved a study of what percent of biodiesel produced would be desired in order to make use of the faster initial reaction rates. The group was not actually able to get to the optimization step within the lab, however, because it was never successful in producing biodiesel. Therefore, for the design requirements of the project, the group was forced to move forward with an optimized design based only on theoretical computer simulations, which, unfortunately, have not yet been proven to be consistent with the real-life lab results.
Table 1 below shows the details of the fourteen experiments ran over the course of the year in sequential order. The group initially started out with shorter residence times and an abundance of methanol. Later, it was decided that the reaction was not being given enough time, so the residence times were then greatly lengthened which was possible by the usage of the hot water bath. Using the software, the group also honed in on what was simulated to be a better molar ratio to create flow properties that were best for the reaction. As tests continued to be unsuccessful, the next step, after doing an analysis of the increased internal pressure in the reactors, was to gradually increase the temperature. Originally the group wanted to stay below the boiling point of methanol at atmospheric pressure but gradually became more daring at risking boiling some methanol off in order to go to higher temperatures to try to initiate the reaction. For the final experiment performed, the group sent the results away for analysis by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in order to be sure that the Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis being done in the lab was not missing some amount of biodiesel.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Final Design
The final design of the Green Machine consists of several key components: a pump, a solar array, tubing, microreactors, an immersion heater and a collection bin. The system consists of 750 microreactors in parallel which will produce exactly 1 gallon of biodiesel in a 24 hour period as specified. Each microreactor will be 7 cm long and the reactants will have a residence time of 30 seconds. The immersion heater contains racks on different levels. The microreactors will be stacked 30 high and 25 across within the immersion heater. The heater itself will be maintained at a uniform temperature of 80˚C, requiring 106.1 kW of power. The dimensions of the immersion heater are 120 in. by 100 in. by 8 in. The pump used will be a Harvard Pump 33 Dual Syringe Pump because it operates well at low flow rates and can handle the pressure drop within each microreactor of 1156 Pa, which is less than the specified maximum of 1,300 Pa [ref 8]. This pump can operate at 45 W which is more than enough to overcome these pressure drops. The system will pump the reactants at a molar ratio of 25:1 for methanol to soy oil, resulting in a total flow rate of 0.0035 mL/min. The flow rates of methanol and soy oil are 0.0027 mL/min and 0.00084 mL/min respectively. Lastly, the solar array will be 108 m2 in area, making it capable of providing 108 kW of power to run both the pump and the immersion heater.
The image below shows the final design of the Green Machine. Although this is just a basic set up, it clearly takes into account all of the necessary calculations and specifications as discussed above. In this design, the pump rests on a column, feeds tubing into the immersion heater, pumps the fluids through the microreactors, and then more tubing empties the biodiesel into a collection bin. The solar array is mounted on the column upon which the pump rests. Although it cannot be seen in the schematic, the column is at an upward angle so that the array is exposed more directly to the sun. Additionally, the system is to be constructed so that the solar array is at a southerly exposure point where it will receive the most sunlight (provided it is built in the Maryland area). This design sufficiently meets all performance specifications laid out earlier.
In a future post, we'll discuss exploring the reasons why the microreactors failed to yield biodiesel.
The image below shows the final design of the Green Machine. Although this is just a basic set up, it clearly takes into account all of the necessary calculations and specifications as discussed above. In this design, the pump rests on a column, feeds tubing into the immersion heater, pumps the fluids through the microreactors, and then more tubing empties the biodiesel into a collection bin. The solar array is mounted on the column upon which the pump rests. Although it cannot be seen in the schematic, the column is at an upward angle so that the array is exposed more directly to the sun. Additionally, the system is to be constructed so that the solar array is at a southerly exposure point where it will receive the most sunlight (provided it is built in the Maryland area). This design sufficiently meets all performance specifications laid out earlier.
In a future post, we'll discuss exploring the reasons why the microreactors failed to yield biodiesel.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Wrapping up for the Semester
As the semester winds down we have a number of issues to comment on.
Thus far, we have been unsuccessful in producing biodiesel using the microreactor technology. Currently we have sent a sample to a testing facility; we believe that, since TLC is a relatively imperfect testing method, that we may have generated a percentage of biodiesel in our product which we are unable to detect.
We have been conducting exhaustive tests, as stated previously, on the variables relevant to our experiment in a process of elimination to discern where our process is wrong. As the batch tests conducted by previous experiment have shown, when these substances (soy oil and methanol) react in the presence of nickel oxide they produce biodiesel. One solution that seems extremely probable (and difficult to test) is that there is simply not enough surface area in the microreactor with which the reactants can come into contact with. However, we are ensuring that there can be no other possibility of failure.
On a more positive note, the solar aspect of the project has been shown to successfully run the experiment. Based on calculations of power and the picture of the wave generated by the solar cell, the solar panel we have is actually larger than needed to run the Green Machine. This is favorable as there is a non-negligible power loss when converting the DC current of the solar cell into the AC current needed by the pump and heater to work at the moment.
As we prepare for the presentation for the IAB, we are ensuring that no stone is left unturned, even considering how the Green Machine would work and be designed should the microreactors yield biodiesel.
Thus far, we have been unsuccessful in producing biodiesel using the microreactor technology. Currently we have sent a sample to a testing facility; we believe that, since TLC is a relatively imperfect testing method, that we may have generated a percentage of biodiesel in our product which we are unable to detect.
We have been conducting exhaustive tests, as stated previously, on the variables relevant to our experiment in a process of elimination to discern where our process is wrong. As the batch tests conducted by previous experiment have shown, when these substances (soy oil and methanol) react in the presence of nickel oxide they produce biodiesel. One solution that seems extremely probable (and difficult to test) is that there is simply not enough surface area in the microreactor with which the reactants can come into contact with. However, we are ensuring that there can be no other possibility of failure.
On a more positive note, the solar aspect of the project has been shown to successfully run the experiment. Based on calculations of power and the picture of the wave generated by the solar cell, the solar panel we have is actually larger than needed to run the Green Machine. This is favorable as there is a non-negligible power loss when converting the DC current of the solar cell into the AC current needed by the pump and heater to work at the moment.
As we prepare for the presentation for the IAB, we are ensuring that no stone is left unturned, even considering how the Green Machine would work and be designed should the microreactors yield biodiesel.
Monday, March 14, 2011
New Semester: Hitting the Ground Running
After the long winter break (maybe not long enough), we entered January with a strong drive to start moving forward as quickly as possible with the Green Machine. Beginning with a re-division of labor and a re-ordering of priorities, the team started working almost exclusively on the successful production of biodiesel.
Immediately during the last couple weeks of January the team ran exhaustive lab tests. Modifying temperature, length of time to run the test, temperature of the reaction, the tests were run while changing these conditions individually so as to not confuse results. Meanwhile, Tim continued to enhance the software modeling and I sealed up the solar power portion of the experiment for the time being to as to devote more resources to the actual experimentation.
The results so far have not been good, but thus is the nature of research. We have yet to produce biodiesel with the microreactor technology, but this does not sound the final bell for the project yet. Aside from running a slug test (allowing the materials a set amount of time to sit in the microreactor channel and mix with the catalyst before removing the material(s) and substituting fresh reactants), we are currently performing root failure analysis to determine what exactly is causing the reaction to fail or, rather, what is missing from the reaction that is not allowing it to occur. One facet we are fairly certain of is this: the catalyst, nickel-oxide, definitely works. All that is left is to exhaust the other possible solutions.
What lies ahead for the rest of the semester is not cemented and depends on whether we can actually generate biodiesel. Successful generation would allow us to turn our attention to other facets of the project, perhaps even approaching a final design concept for a complete generator. Failure to generate biodiesel with the microreactor technology opens up new research options - isolating the components of the experiment that are lacking, suggesting new directions to move in for the catalyst (which is still believed to be superior to current biodiesel generation methods). Both scenarios will entail a great deal of economic analysis, scaling research, and more modeling.
Immediately during the last couple weeks of January the team ran exhaustive lab tests. Modifying temperature, length of time to run the test, temperature of the reaction, the tests were run while changing these conditions individually so as to not confuse results. Meanwhile, Tim continued to enhance the software modeling and I sealed up the solar power portion of the experiment for the time being to as to devote more resources to the actual experimentation.
The results so far have not been good, but thus is the nature of research. We have yet to produce biodiesel with the microreactor technology, but this does not sound the final bell for the project yet. Aside from running a slug test (allowing the materials a set amount of time to sit in the microreactor channel and mix with the catalyst before removing the material(s) and substituting fresh reactants), we are currently performing root failure analysis to determine what exactly is causing the reaction to fail or, rather, what is missing from the reaction that is not allowing it to occur. One facet we are fairly certain of is this: the catalyst, nickel-oxide, definitely works. All that is left is to exhaust the other possible solutions.
What lies ahead for the rest of the semester is not cemented and depends on whether we can actually generate biodiesel. Successful generation would allow us to turn our attention to other facets of the project, perhaps even approaching a final design concept for a complete generator. Failure to generate biodiesel with the microreactor technology opens up new research options - isolating the components of the experiment that are lacking, suggesting new directions to move in for the catalyst (which is still believed to be superior to current biodiesel generation methods). Both scenarios will entail a great deal of economic analysis, scaling research, and more modeling.
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