Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Developing a Novel Low Cost Biodiesel and Biochar Processor for Rural Cameroon Using Locally Sourced Materials and Feedstocks
EPA Grant Number: SU835303Title: Developing a Novel Low Cost Biodiesel and Biochar Processor for Rural Cameroon Using Locally Sourced Materials and Feedstocks
Investigators: Seay, Jeffrey R. , Butler, Bradley , Willett, Christina , Silverstein, David , Morgan, Joseph , Lewis, Kyle , Croft, Maxwell , Peeler, Mitchell , Croft, William , Watson, Zachary
Institution: University of Kentucky
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2012 through August 14, 2013
Project Amount: $15,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2012) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , P3 Challenge Area - Chemical Safety , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
The principle objective of this project is to develop low-cost, environmentally benign technologies for manufacturing equipment to produce biodiesel and the associated raw materials, i.e. methanol and base catalyst, from locally available resources by villagers in rural, underdeveloped regions in sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve this objective, three tasks are proposed:
- Design of a low cost process for generating biochar and methanol by destructive wood distillation,
- Design of a low cost process for generating biodiesel from locally sourced feedstocks,
- Mechanical design and fabrication plans and an instructional construction video of a processor for producing biodiesel, biochar and methanol using locally sourced materials.
This project has been conceived through a partnership with the African Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (ACREST) located in Bangang, Cameroon. The processor will be designed to be simple to build and operate and to cost less than 100 USD. Locally sourced scrap materials such as discarded steel drums and junkyard automobile parts will be the primary construction materials.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The University of Kentucky P3 team has designed a built a prototype processor that can produce biodiesel and biochar that is appropriate for underdeveloped regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to the mechanical design and construction of the prototype processor, the team has studied the available feedstocks to determine the optimal process chemistry using locally available vegetable oils. Locally available vegetable oils in Sub-Saharan Africa include palm, castor and jatropha. In many areas in the region, palm oil is a staple of the local diet, so the competition with the food supply tends to make palm oil a less sustainable option. Castor and jatropha, however, grow wild in the region and are not generally consumed as food. The area around Bangang Village in Cameroon, has a lot of castor plants, so this oil was chosen as the primary oil for the study, however, castor was compared with both palm and soy bean oil, which is commonly used for biodiesel production in the United States, to ensure that the quality and reaction yields were comparable. Additionally, two locally available base catalysts were considered; potassium hydroxide extracted from wood ashes and calcium hydroxide, available in local markets and used for traditional cooking. Results indicated that although calcium hydroxide can be used as a catalyst in the production of biodiesel, yields are significantly lower than those achieved from ash derived potassium hydroxide.
The UK P3 Team has worked to ensure that the process chemistry is based on the Principles of Green Chemistry (Anastas and Warner: 1998). The process chemistry has been completely integrated so that nothing is wasted and all side reaction products are used to produce other useful products. The only raw material inputs to the system are wood, water and vegetable oil. The products of the process are biodiesel, biochar/charcoal, soap and an organic pesticide. As will be fully described in the body of the report, all the intermediate products, methanol, potassium hydroxide and acetic acid will all be extracted from the three raw materials using the multipurpose processor design.
Conclusions:
The combined biodiesel and biochar processor proposed by the UK P3 team will directly benefit people, prosperity and the planet. Having a low cost source of liquid fuel to run generators and fuel vehicles will directly benefit rural people in underdeveloped regions like sub-Saharan Africa. The lack of reliable access to energy reduces the quality of life – a problem that this research project can directly impact. Having access to reliable energy can also improve the economic wellbeing for people in economically disadvantaged regions. This low-cost processor can provide income for an entrepreneur or a village, which can particularly benefit women in areas like Sub-Saharan Africa. Finally, this project can benefit the planet. In addition to the established environmental benefits of biofuels versus fossil fuels, this project can also benefit the environment by reducing deforestation through the production of biochar. Biochar is a soil amendment that serves to retain nutrients and moisture in poor soils, such as the red clay commonly found in Sub-Saharan Africa. Improving agricultural production can help stem the tide of clear cutting forests for cropland. Finally, this project has broader impacts beyond Sub- Saharan Africa. Any underdeveloped or economically disadvantaged population with access to locally available oil seeds like palm, castor or jatropha can benefit from the technology developed by the UK P3 team. In conclusion, this project directly benefits people, prosperity and the planet, particularly in underdeveloped regions.
Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 8 publications | 2 publications in selected types | All 2 journal articles |
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Type | Citation | ||
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Seay J, Zama I, Butler B. International partnership helping to bring appropriate biofuel technology to rural Cameroon. International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering 2012;7(2):35-48. |
SU835303 (Final) |
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Whipple W, Butler B, Sterrie C, Seay J. A sustainable low cost process for the production of biodiesel suitable for underdeveloped regions. Journal of Green Building 2013;8(3):140-155. |
SU835303 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
Appropriate Technology, Sub-Saharan Africa, Castor Oil, Palm OilRelevant Websites:
University of Kentucky Appropriate Technology and Sustainability Research Team Exit
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.