Community Lifelines Programme - Energy Sector - Projects - Biodiesel Research
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Community Lifelines Programme Energy - Energy Sector
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Making Biodiesel in Fiji
Biodiesel, made from biological fats and oils, is a clean, ‘green’ and practical alternative (or additive) to diesoline for standard diesel engines. It is manufactured by treating the fat or oil with methyl or ethyl alcohol with a little strong alkali (e.g. sodium hydroxide) dissolved in it as a catalyst. The methyl or ethyl esters (biodiesel) are formed quite rapidly and obtained in high yields. A biodiesel plant was constructed and successfully tested at Mokosoi Soap in the 1980s but has not been commercially utilised.
The goal of this MSc research project is to help SOPAC re-activate the Mokosoi plant as part of a larger strategy to develop alternative fuels suited to the needs and resources of the region. The USP will provide research results and chemical advice on the refurbishing and running the biodiesel plant. Starting fats and oils (feedstocks), the reaction intermediates, the products, the waste and the bi-products will all need to chemically evaluated.
This will entail literature research, routine ‘wet’ laboratory testing (iodine value, water content, pH, free-fatty acid or FFA determination, etc.), and also some chromatographic analysis of, e.g., fatty acid compositions. Various feedstocks will be tested according to their practical suitability and availability, including the use of local sugarderived ethanol. The results of various processes (and scenarios) will be assessed in terms of environmental impact (‘ecological footprint’) and cost effectiveness.
Project Purpose
To identify the most appropriate way to produce standardised biodiesel in Fiji.
A Graduat Assistant scholarship, funded jointly by the University of the South Pacific, Chemistry Department and SOPAC through its Pacific Island Energy Policy and Strategic Action Plan (PIEPSAP) project, has been made available to carry out a Master of Science (MSc.) study during 1 year.
The selected student, Ms. Radhika Singh will be working from April 1st 2005 until July 2006 on the identification of the most viable way to make biodiesel with locally available substances. In particular, she will look into:
- Which Biodiesel technologies exist in literature?
- What are the standards on Biodiesel?
- What are the potential sources of oil for Biodiesel production?
- What is the best-practice technology fit for Fiji?
- What are the reactions involved in the chosen biodiesel production procedure?
- What are the life-cycle costs of biodiesel and its production components?
- What are the waste streams associated with the production of biodiesel?
Download MSc Study Terms of Reference
Progress up to October 2005
The first phase of the project was a literature study on the appropriate process to make biodiesel in Fiji, looking at international standards and selecting the most viable production process. Download Literature Study
For more information please contact:
Jan Cloin
Energy Adviser
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