title: Analysis of operating costs for producing biodiesel from palm oil at pilot-scale in Colombia.
abstract: The present study aims to evaluate the operating costs of biodiesel production using palm oil in a pilot-scale plant with a capacity of 20,000 L/day (850 L/batch). The production plant uses crude palm oil as a feedstock, and methanol in a molar ratio of 1:10. The process incorporated acid esterification, basic transesterification, and dry washing with absorbent powder. Production costs considered in the analysis were feedstock, supplies, labor, electricity, quality and maintenance; amounting to $3.75/gal ($0.99/L) for 2013. Feedstocks required for biodiesel production were among the highest costs, namely 72.6% of total production cost. Process efficiency to convert fatty acids to biodiesel was over 99% and generated a profit of $1.08/gal (i.e., >22% of the total income). According to sensitivity analyses, it is more economically viable for biodiesel production processes to use crude palm oil as a feedstock and take advantage of the byproducts such as glycerine and fertilizers.
authors: Eureka UDES Research Group, Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Santander, Avenida 4 Calle 10N Urbanización el Bosque, Cúcuta, Colombia; Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE), University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 1955 East-West Road, Agricultural Science Building 218, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States.
authors: Juan C
authors: JC
authors: Acevedo
authors: Eureka UDES Research Group, Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Santander, Avenida 4 Calle 10N Urbanización el Bosque, Cúcuta, Colombia.
authors: Jorge A
authors: JA
authors: Hernández
authors: Applied Thermodynamics and Alternative Energy Group, School of Process and Energy, Faculty of Mines, University National of Colombia, Carrera 80 No. 65-223 Bloque M3 Oficina 214, Medellín, Colombia.
authors: Carlos F
authors: CF
authors: Valdés
authors: Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE), University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 1955 East-West Road, Agricultural Science Building 218, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States. Electronic address: khanal@hawaii.edu.
authors: Samir Kumar
authors: SK
authors: Khanal
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels / Q000191:economics*; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000191:economics*; D002384:Catalysis; D003105:Colombia; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004951:Esterification; D004952:Esters / Q000737:chemistry; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D005742:Gasoline / Q000191:economics; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry; D017633:Magnesium Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics*
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D004952:Esters; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005742:Gasoline; D017633:Magnesium Silicates; D010938:Plant Oils; C005013:Florisil; D000073878:Palm Oil; D005990:Glycerol; D000432:Methanol
keywords: Biodiesel; Byproduct; Economic assessment; Palm oil; Transesterification