DISPOSAL ALTERNATIVES FOR GLYCEROL WASTE FROM BIODIESEL PRODUCTION AND THE ROLE OF COMBUSTION

摘要

The production of biodiesel in the U.S. is rapidly growing from small home-based operations to commercial scale operations. Glycerol is a by-product of the biodiesel manufacturing process that can be used in the manufacture of consumer products including soaps, food additives, and pharmaceuticals. The glycerol market is becoming increasingly saturated as more biodiesel refineries are built in the U.S. The combustion of glycerol in boilers is recognized as one alternative to the increasing problem of glycerol waste disposal. The combustion of glycerol in a boiler is possible and appears to be protective of human health in boilers that have been extensively tested as part of the hazardous waste combustion permitting program. However, the impurities associated with the catalyst necessary to drive the transesterification, and the subsequent neutralization, processes inherent in most biodiesel production operations will result in relatively high concentrations of inorganic salts. These salts will create efficiency and corrosion problems in most standard boiler systems. Therefore, it is imperative that additional pre-treatment be performed prior to combustion to address these concerns, or alternative processes such as gasification should be developed to address the glycerol waste.