Grantee Research Project Results
2019 Progress Report: Reusable Biodegradable Solvents from Biodiesel
EPA Grant Number: SV839351Title: Reusable Biodegradable Solvents from Biodiesel
Investigators: Ott, Lisa , Stone, Janine M , Proctor, Stephen , Lupton, Christopher , Taylor, Kylie , Fatchen, Faith
Current Investigators: Ott, Lisa
Institution: California State University - Chico
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: II
Project Period: March 1, 2018 through February 29, 2020 (Extended to May 31, 2022)
Project Period Covered by this Report: March 1, 2019 through February 29,2020
Project Amount: $73,338
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2017) Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities , P3 Challenge Area - Chemical Safety
Objective:
The overall objective for our P3 supported work is to develop a process for utilizing glycerol generated as a co-product from biodiesel production to generate a useful, value-added product for biodiesel manufacturers. To this end, we have worked to develop a process for transforming co-product glycerol from biodiesel production into a deep eutectic solvent (DES). DESs are an exciting class of non-volatile, reusable, biodegradable solvents. Our team works on preparing DESs using co-product glycerol from biodiesel formation as the hydrogen bond donor (HBD) and a series of compounds as hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs). By using glycerol generated from biodiesel synthesis as a component in DESs, we aim to help the biodiesel industry find a solution to a production challenge that would help biodiesel manufacturers decrease their waste streams significantly, lower costs, and potentially increase revenues through the creation of new product. Additionally, a key goal of this work is to bring the prepared DESs into the organic chemistry teaching laboratories at Chico State and across the California State University system.
Progress Summary:
During the second year of our Phase II supported work, we have struggled with the measurement of the viscosities of the many suites of DESs prepared during year one (objective 1). We have filed paperwork to transfer funds from a now-unnecessary piece of equipment to returning the viscometer to the manufacturer for calibration. We have examined DESs as reaction solvents for three more possible reactions to be used in organic chemistry teaching laboratories (objective 2). Both chemistry and economics undergraduate students have been trained in the research and development of a novel product (objective 5). With regards to economic analysis, in year 2, the economics student Faith Fatchen administered a choice experiment survey that will be used to determine nonmarket benefits associated with DES production. Preliminary econometric modeling was also completed in year 2, and this, in conjunction with a cost analysis of DES production, will allow us to determine the viability of DES production (from the perspective of firms trying to produce a profitable product (objective 6)) and the other social, non-monetary benefits associated with producing and using DES in place of traditional solvents.
Future Activities:
The work carried out under the second year of Phase II support advances the EPA mission of protecting human health and the environment. The DESs which are prepared using biodiesel co-product glycerol are non-volatile, making them safer and healthier for people to work with. The environmental benefit of this work includes diversion of the co-product glycerol from the landfill to a useful place on the laboratory bench. Additionally, since DESs are reusable, an additional environmental benefit comes from a reduction in the total amount of solvents purchased and disposed of. Economics students are using non-market valuation methods in order to put dollar values on these environmental benefits.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 8 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
waste recycling, biodegradable, resource recovery, reuse, renewable feedstocks, biodiesel, waste to value-added product, cost-benefit analysis, nonmarket valuationRelevant Websites:
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractP3 Phase I:
Reusable Biodegradable Solvents from Biodiesel | 2017 Progress Report | Final ReportThe 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.
Project Research Results
- Final Report
- 2021 Progress Report
- 2020 Progress Report
- 2018 Progress Report
- Original Abstract
- P3 Phase I | 2017 Progress Report | Final Report
1 journal articles for this project