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 Biodiesel fuel processingThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070175088. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001]This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/763,176 filed Jan. 30, 2006, entitled "Biodiesel Home Fueling Station", the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]Biodiesel is a fuel formed from naturally obtained fatty acids, i.e., from either vegetable oils or animal fats. Traditionally, biodiesel has been formed by the transesterification of fatty acids. In this process, an alcohol, typically a lower alkyl monoalcohol, is reacted under basic or acid conditions with the fatty acids. This produces the monoalkyl ester of the fatty acids, as well as glycerin, water and other impurities. [0003]These impurities, as well as other impurities that are naturally present in the fatty acid, must be removed. In particular, removing the water is somewhat problematic. The traditional method of doing so is a physical separation in which the transesterification reaction product is simply allowed to settle. The water will naturally separate from the esters, permitting physical separation. [0004]This is time consuming, taking upwards of twenty-four hours. Relatively large quantities of material must be stored to permit separation. This is very costly because of the time requirement, and because of the capital equipment required to hold the material for a sufficient period of time to permit separation. [0005]Non-esterified fatty acids can also be used in a biodiesel formulation, but these also have the same problems with impurities. There is significantly less water present, but this still has to be removed. Removal of a minor amount of water can be more difficult than removal of large amounts such as is present in the transesterification product. [0006]Biodiesel must meet certain end use requirements as specified by ASTM D-6751. This sets maximum concentrations for various impurities such as carbon residue, sulfur red ash, sulfur, copper, free glycerin, total glycerin, phosphorus, sodium and potassium. Cetane ratings must also be met. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007]The present invention is premised on the realization that biodiesel can be formed from natural fatty acids without a transesterification reaction. According to the present invention, natural fatty acids are blended with kerosene or #2 diesel and a low viscosity, low molecular weight hydrocarbon which acts as a coalescing aid. The water and impurities dissolved in the water are then removed using a coalescent filter. Other impurities, such as glycerin, particulates, as well as polyaromatic compounds, can then be filtered out by a carbon or activated carbon filter. This reduces the overall time required to produce the biodiesel and, further, requires no transesterification reaction. [0008]Preferred coalescing aids include naphtha and naphthalene. In addition to the coalescing aid, a cetane improving composition, acetone, and a lubricity aid such as trimethylbenzene, are added to the biodiesel formulation to further improve the performance of the product. [0009]The objects and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated in light of the following detailed description and drawings in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING [0010]The FIGURE is a diagrammatic depiction of the filtration apparatus used in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0011]Biodiesel is produced by blending a combination of naturally occurring triglycerides, a lower viscosity hydrocarbon fuel, and a coalescing aid. The naturally occurring fatty acids can be obtained from any source, vegetable or animal. Preferably these triglycerides are liquid at room temperature and can be, for example, used fryer oil, corn oil, soy bean oil, palm oil, safflower oil, animal fats, and the like. Used motor oil can also be added but requires additional filtration. Collectively, these will be referred to as oils. Typically, these oils will include various amounts of impurities such as water, sulfur, potassium, other water soluble salts, and the like. [0012]The oil should include a minimum amount of water to facilitate impurity removal. Generally, it is preferred to have about 0.4 ounces of water per gallon of the oil. Accordingly, if the source of the oil does not include sufficient water, water can be added. These oils can have a viscosity of 40 centistokes or more at 40.degree. C. For use as a diesel fuel, the viscosity must be from 6-1.9 centistokes. [0013]Accordingly, a hydrocarbon fuel is added to the naturally occurring oil to reduce its viscosity. Generally, about 12-30%, preferably about 15-20%, by weight of the hydrocarbon fuel will be added to the overall biodiesel composition. This is simply mixed together without any special equipment. The hydrocarbon fuel can be diesel fuel such as #2 diesel fuel, or any grade of kerosene or gasoline. A blend of these can also be used. If only diesel is added, about 30% #2 diesel may be required. Gasoline decreases the amount of hydrocarbon fuel needed, but significantly reduces the flash point. Therefore, a mixture of the two is preferred. Generally, about 2/1 diesel to gasoline (by volume) is preferred. [0014]Next, a coalescing aid is added to the formulation. The coalescing aid can be any composition that will assist in the coalescence of the water in the fuel mixture. Generally, this will be a hydrocarbon composition that has a viscosity of less than 2 centistokes at 40.degree. C., and a specific gravity of less than 1. Compositions that will assist in coalescing water in oil include naphtha, naphthalene, xylene and toluene. Preferred coalescing aids include solvent naphtha and toluene. Gasoline has some coalescing activity but is not considered a true coalescing aid due to its performance. Alcohols are also less preferred, as these are undesirable in diesel formulations. [0015]The coalescing aid may be 100% naphtha or a blend of coalescing aids. The coalescing aid may include naphtha at about 50-100% by weight. This, in addition to acting as a coalescing aid, lowers the flash point of the biodiesel fuel. Xylene, of about 0-10% by weight can also be added. This further lowers the flash point, even lower than naphtha. Finally, naphthalene at about 0-40% by weight is desirable. This improves the combustion and reduces combustion pressure. [0016]Generally about 0.25 ounces of coalescing aid per gallon is added to the fuel mixture. More or less can be used, depending upon the effectiveness of the particular coalescing aid as well as the water content. [0017]If the diesel formulation does not have a high enough cetane rating to function as a diesel fuel, one can add a cetane additive. It is preferred to have a cetane rating of 50 or better. The amount of cetane additive will also vary depending on the source of the oil. Soybean oil has a naturally high cetane rating. A cetane additive, generally at about 0.15 oz/gal of fuel mixture, can be added to achieve the desired cetane rating. One preferred cetane additive is 2-ethylhexylnitrate, also referred to as cetane. [0018]Because this formulation is naturally low in sulfur and the processing will reduce sulfur, a lubricant may be added. For example, 5% by weight of ethylene can be added as a lubricant. Other lubricants can include trimethylbenzene, either 1-2-4-trimethylbenzene, or 1-3-5-trimethylbenzene in a total of about 5 wt. %. Finally, 5% by weight of a lower molecular weight ketone such as acetone can be added to improve fuel efficiency. The cetane additive, lubricity additives, as well as the fuel efficiency improver (acetone) are optional components and may be omitted or increased as desired. [0019]The preferred additive formulation includes: Continue reading... Full patent description for Biodiesel fuel processing Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Biodiesel fuel processing patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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