H
ere is how it works:
The process is termed the Mcgyan process after the names of the
inventors (McNeff,
Gyberg and Yan).
The process performs a catalytic conversion of triglycerides and
free fatty acids into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMES); in other
words into biodiesel. In addition to the environmental
advantages of producing a biofuel that replaces conventional
fossil fuels (fossil fuels have detrimental effects on the
environment since they release sequestered carbon compounds and
other pollutants into the atmosphere, whereas bio-based fuels
such as biodiesel are more environmentally friendly since their
use recycles carbon through renewable biomass and because they
burn cleaner than petroleum fuels), this new process offers
several advantages over current biodiesel production
methods.
A general operational schematic of the
Mcgyan™ reactor is depicted above. Oil or tallow feedstocks and
alcohol are converted into biodiesel. Once through the reactor, the excess
alcohol is separated out and recycled back into the continuous process.
Benefits of the Mcgyan process, according to the inventors, are:
Flexible feedstock; animal or plant sources of lipids can be used. Current waste products can be turned into fuel.
No use of strong acids or bases in the process.
Fast reaction times (seconds).
Cheap feedstocks such as waste grease and animal tallow as well as a variety of plant oils can be converted to biodiesel.
The metal oxide based catalyst is a contained in a fixed bed
reactor thereby eliminating the current need to continuously add
catalyst to the reaction mixture thereby reducing the amount of waste
produced.
Unwanted side reactions with free fatty acids producing soaps
are eliminated, thereby reducing the amount of waste that must be
disposed of properly.
Insensitive to free fatty acid and water content of the feedstocks.
The catalyst does not poison over time.
The
Mcgyan Process flows super critical alcohol and feedstock through a
tube reactor packed with sulfated metal oxide microspheres to produce
biodiesel in seconds with virtually no waste stream. The unreacted
alcohol and any residual fatty acids can be recycled through the
reactor making the process entirely continuous and able to achieve 100%
conversion. The process was invented by SarTec Co. and Augsburg
College and the discovery was announced
on Friday March 7th 2008. Plans to build a prototype commercial
production facility that will employ this novel process have been announced by Ever Cat in Isanti, MN.
This
is incredibly good news on the commercial-scale Biodiesel front.
There's even mention of potential to size down to farm scale in this video.
This is truly exciting stuff considering the reliability and multitude of sources.
Sources:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/03/researchers-dev.html
http://www.evercatfuels.com
http://augnet.augsburg.edu/news-archives/2008/03_09_08/sartec.html
