Progress 09/19/14 to 08/03/15
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Improve the fuel properties and performance of vegetable oils and their derivatives as alternative fuels, extenders, and additives in the operation of compression-ignition (diesel) engines for on-road and off- road applications. Address technical problems identified by stakeholders and customers. Specific objectives for this project are: 1) Enable new commercially-viable alternative fuel formulations with improved cold weather start-up and operability performance without compromising fuel quality as defined by appropriate standard fuel specifications; 2) Enable new commercially-viable biodiesel formulations with improved storage stability with respect to oxidative degradation. Develop rapid measurement methods for monitoring effects of degradation on biodiesel fuel quality during storage, as defined by appropriate standard fuel specifications; 3) Enable new, commercially-viable biodiesel fuels derived from novel oilseed crops (especially inedible plant species), vegetable oils with modified fatty ester composition, and non-traditional feedstocks such as algae and biomass; 4) Enable new, commercially-viable analytical methods for biodiesel and its minor constituents and other fuel quality issues to enhance market acceptance of biodiesel fuels; and 5) Develop technologies that expand the markets for glycerol by enabling the commercial conversion of glycerol and its derivatives to chemicals and components in products such as surfactants, emulsifiers, fuel additives, dispersants and/or flocculating agents as well as biodegradable polymer products such as polyesters, polyethers and polyurethanes. Approach (from AD-416): Biodiesel is an alternative diesel fuel derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, used oils or algae and other biomass feedstocks. While it is competitive with (in some aspects even technically superior to) petroleum- derived diesel fuel, its use is still affected by technical and supply issues that hinder more widespread commercialization. This project proposes to improve the fuel properties of vegetable oils as well as other feedstocks and their derivatives as alternative diesel fuels, extenders, and additives in the operation of compression-ignition (diesel) engines for on-road and off-road applications. Specific objectives for this project include: 1) Improve cold weather start-up and operability; 2) Enhance understanding of oxidative stability and provide methods for its improvement; 3) Provide novel fuel formulations, including alternative and conventional feedstocks with different fatty acid profiles as well as novel additives; 4) Develop analytical methods for minor constituents of biodiesel and other fuel quality issues; and 5) Development of specialty chemicals and products such as biodegradable polymers from biodiesel co- products (glycerol). Overall, this research will lead to technically improved biodiesel fuels that are more competitive in the marketplace, enhanced analyses, and new, economically competitive and environmentally friendly products from glycerol. This is the final report for Project 5010-41000-165-00D, which has been replaced by new Project 5010-41000-175-00D. ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, made significant progress toward the objectives, as demonstrated by the following: Additives to improve cold flow properties were successfully tested. Cold flow properties of blends of petrodiesel with biodiesel from different feedstocks were determined. Fuel and physical properties such as density, heat of combustion, and oxidative stability were determined. Synthesized aryl derivatives of fatty acids were tested for lubricant applications. Various alternative feedstocks for biodiesel, with the goal of increasing biodiesel supply and diversity under consideration of low-impact agronomics and sustainable agricultural practices, as well as feedstocks with alternative fatty acid profiles to improve biodiesel fuel properties, were evaluated. Heptadecene, which may also be of interest for fuel applications, was synthesized by catalytic decarboxylation of fatty acids. Rice bran oil samples were analyzed for contents of heavy metal contaminants including arsenic. Research collaborations were conducted with 20 universities, both in the U.S. and abroad, as well as 6 research institutions and 5 industrial partners, on combustion, fuel properties, fuel composition, and biodiesel education. ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, collaborated with scientists at the Agricultural Research Service Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, on synthesis and testing of new cold flow additives for biodiesel and biolubricants, and other ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, on analysis of arsenic in rice bran oils. Accomplishments 01 Biodiesel with improved low temperature performance. The cold flow properties of biodiesel derived from soybean oil and other commodity seed oils are relatively poor and can influence viability during cold weather in moderate temperature climates. In a collaborative effort, ARS scientists from Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, and Peoria, Illinois, synthesized branched-chain fatty acids, converted them into fatty acid alkyl esters (biodiesel), and analyzed the cold flow properties of the products. Results showed that converting the branched-chain fatty acids with alcohols other than methanol yielded biodiesel with significant improved properties. Research from this work will benefit research scientists seeking to develop cold flow improver additives that are effective in mixtures with biodiesel made from commodity oils, as well as in blends of biodiesel and conventional diesel fuels. Biodiesel fuel producers, distributors, and consumers will directly benefit from improved flowability and performance during cold weather. 02 Biodiesel from alternative feedstocks. Due to the limited supply of commodity vegetable oils available for biodiesel production, the search for additional oils or fats that can serve as feedstocks or improvement of current production procedures is critical. ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, investigated Brassica juncea seed oil and Gliricidia sepium as alternative feedstocks for biodiesel production, which included preparation of the methyl esters, measurement of fuel properties, impact of blending on fuel properties of petrodiesel, and combustion studies. Based on the data obtained from the biodiesel fuels prepared from this oil, it is anticipated that Brassica juncea and Gliricidia sepium oil-derived biodiesel will perform similarly to biodiesel fuels prepared from other feedstocks, thereby indicating their acceptability as an alternative, non-food, low-cost feedstock. Overall, such work will contribute to enhancing the supply of biodiesel and reduce dependence on petroleum-based diesel fuel. 03 Properties of biodiesel. Knowledge of various fuel and physical properties of individual biodiesel fuel components is essential for developing fuels with improved properties, as well as for fuel production. In order to make more such data available, ARS scientists in Peoria, Illinois, developed a comprehensive set of oxidation stability data for fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) as they are commonly found in biodiesel and related fatty compounds. For the first time, experimental data for the contact of FAME with other materials were collected as well as how they influence the overall properties of a biodiesel fuel. An enhanced understanding of the properties of FAME and devising biodiesel with improved properties are the results of this research. The research improves the commercial viability of biodiesel, benefiting all parties along the biodiesel production and distribution chain.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Cermak, S.C., Bredsguard, J.W., Dunn, R.O., Thompson, T., Feken, K.A., Roth, K.L., Kenar, J.A., Isbell, T.A., Murray, R.E. 2014. Comparative assay of antioxidant packages for dimer of estolide esters. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 91:2101-2109.
- Moser, B.R., Evangelista, R.L., Jham, G. 2015. Fuel properties of Brassica juncea oil methyl esters blended with ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. Renewable Energy. 78:82-88.
- Moser, B.R., Zheljazkov, V.D., Bakota, E.L., Evangelista, R.L., Gawde, A., Cantrell, C.L., Winkler-Moser, J.K., Hristov, A.N., Astatkie, T., Jeliazkova, E. 2014. Method for obtaining three products with different properties from fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed. Industrial Crops and Products. 60:335-342.
- Hughes, S.R., Lopez-Nunez, J.C., Jones, M.A., Moser, B.R., Cox, E.J., Lindquist, M.R., Galindo-Leva, L., Rodriguez-Valencia, N., Tasaki, K., Brown, R.C., Darzins, A., Brunner, L., et al. 2014. Sustainable conversion of coffee and other crop wastes to biofuels and bioproducts using combined biochemical and thermochemical processes in a multi-stage biorefinery concept. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 98(20):8413-8431.
- Knothe, G.H., Steidley, K.R. 2014. A comprehensive evaluation of the density of neat fatty acids and esters. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 91(10):1711-1722.
- Bakota, E.L., Dunn, R.O., Liu, S.X. 2015. Heavy metals screening of rice bran oils and its relation to composition. European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology. 117(9):1452-1562. doi: 10.1002/ejlt.201400443.
- Isbell, T.A., Evangelista, R.L., Glenn, S.E., Devore, D.A., Moser, B.R., Cermak, S.C., Rao, S. 2015. Enrichment of erucic acid from pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) seed oil. Industrial Crops and Products. 66:188-193.
- Knothe, G.H., Phoo, Z., De Castro, E.G., Razon, L.F. 2015. Fatty acid profile of Albizia lebbeck and Albizia saman seed oils: Presence of coronaric acid. European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology. 117(4) :567-574.
- Vaughn, S.F., Kenar, J.A., Eller, F.J., Moser, B.R., Jackson, M.A., Peterson, S.C. 2015. Physical and chemical characterization of biochars produced from coppiced wood of thirteen tree species for use in horticultural substrates. Industrial Crops and Products. 66:44-51.
- Vaughn, S.F., Eller, F.J., Evangelista, R.L., Moser, B.R., Lee, E., Wagner, R.E., Peterson, S.C. 2015. Evaluation of biochar-anaerobic potato digestate mixtures as renewable components of horticultural potting media. Industrial Crops and Products. 65:467-471.
- Jin, M., Slininger, P.J., Dien, B.S., Waghmode, S.B., Moser, B.R., Orjuela, A., Da Costa Sousa, L., Balan, V. 2015. Microbial lipid based lignocellulosic biorefinery: feasibility and challenges. Trends in Biotechnology. 33(1):43-54.
- Dunn, R.O., Lew, H.N., Haas, M.J. 2015. Branched-chain fatty acid methyl esters as cold flow improvers for biodiesel. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 92(6):853-869. DOI: 10.1007/s11746-015-2643-2.
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