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1. What are the biodiesel byproducts? (jump to top)
During the production of biodiesel, and certainly during the wash of the product, certain substances, which are byproducts that were produced during the reaction, are exported from the biodiesel. These substances can be resembled to outcasts, however there are ways of taking advantage of them. The main byproduct of the biodiesel production is glycerin.
2. Process of Distillation (use of a distiller for the export of methanol) (jump to top)
Impure glycerin and biodiesel, that are collected during the production of biodiesel, contain only a small quantity of methanol. Thus in order to the later use of biodiesel and most importantly, glycerin, methanol should be removed and recovered. An amateur distiller can be manufactured with your own means, just like we did, wish bases on a traditional process for producing “zivania” (a local drink). From 4 litres of biodiesel 800 ml of methanol can be recovered, while from 4 litres of glycerin, the quantity falls to 300 ml. With the use of this method: firstly, clean methanol that is essential for the transformation of waste oil is saved, and secondly clean glycerin is produced, exempted from methanol, and therefore may be used for various reasons ( read below).
* Our team has created a guide for producing soap from glycerin (with pictures)
(The guide is in .pdf format)
 
(Ελληνικά) . . . . . . . . . . . (English)
Glycerin is one of the most multifaceted and precious chemical substances which are familiar to humans. It has more than 1.500 known uses, including many applications as component or a transformation in the purpose of cosmetics, types of personal care, medicines and food. Moreover, glycerin is exceptionally constant in formal conditions of storage, is compatible with a lot of other chemical substances, is almost not toxic, is not dangerous in the various uses, and has no known negative environmental impacts.
It is transparent, odourless and thick, and it emanates both from natural but also petrochemical raw material. Also, it is presented in combined form (triglycerides) in all the animal fats and plant oils, and it constitutes, on average, 10 percent of these materials.
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*Glycerin (Pictures from www.fortheloveoffiber.typepad.com and www.dermaxime.com) |
4. Uses of Glycerin (jump to top)
The glycerin which is removed from the final product (biodiesel) can be applied in different sectors. The main sectors where the by-product of glycerin can be used are:
4.1. Production of soaps
4.2. Production of Fertilizer (compost)
4.3. Preservation of Plants
4.4. Production of Bubbles
4.5. Production of Burning Material
4.6. Uses in medicine
4.1 Production of soaps (jump to top)
The soap that can be produced is not ordinary soap. Nevertheless it covers a big range in domestic and industrial uses, as it remains soft for the skin but hard for the impurities. The glycerin soap is simply a good product which outclasses the commercial soaps, is not toxic and is bio-degradable.
This glycerin solid (plate) soap has been used in a lot of applications, as:
- body soap
- for washing dishes,
- for mopping the bathroom and washing the toilet and sink,
- used for rinsing stains before dry-cleaning,
- removal of stains from instruments and hands,
- soap for washing vehicles (car),
- soap for dogs
- glue thinner.
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*Images taken during the soap production procedure |
* Our team has created a guide for producing soap from glycerin (with pictures).
You can download the guide here (in Greek or in English)
(The guide is in .pdf format)
(Ελληνικά) . . . . . . . . . . . (English)
(ι) With lopings:
The process of producing fertilizer (compost) is a process that requires the existence of humidity and that is accelerated by the high temperature. (The production takes place in temperature of 65-75 degrees of Celsius) The main components that are needed are coal (which constitutes food for the desirable micro-organisms) and nitrogen, with proportion 30:1. For the completion of the proportion in nitrogen, manufactures can use grass (with proportion 10:1) or manure (12: 1), whilst for the proportion of coal, glycerin or loppings may be used (with proportion 60:1).
During the production, glycerin is progressively poured into the mixture, with the insertion of water (50L). The glycerin that is added in the mixture has a limit, the so called Free Air Space Limit, that concerns the void that is created between the loppings that are used. (limit: 10% x quantity of loppings) - (per time). The mixture that is produced, should be mixed each day the 1st week, every 2 days the 2nd week, every 3 days the 3rd week and so on. If there is a bad odour coming out from the mixture, this means that the mixture needs to be mixed again. (mixing provides oxygen to all the parts of the mixture). If the percentage of oxygen falls below 10%, then anaerobic micro-organisms, which are not desirable, are produced into the mixture. The fertilizer is ready for use as soon the circle of mixing is completed, that is to say some weeks.
(ιι) With manure, sawdust and straws:
This methodology refers to the combination of glycerin with various solid biomass waste (like manure, sawdust, straws etc) and the creation of a material that can be used as a fertilizer. The fact that glycerin helps the growth of high temperatures (that substantially destroy substances that cause the growth of “weeds” ) and the absence of chemicals in the experiment, imply that this fertilizer can be used in biological crops with a very high efficiency rate.
* Our team has created a guide for producing compost (with pictures).
(The guide is in .pdf format)
(Ελληνικά) . . . . . . . . . . . (English)
This methodology refers to the combination of glycerin with water. Mix two glasses of hot water and a glass of heat of glycerin. Place the plants into this mixture for eighteen days. During this interval and every two days boil the mixture to achieve better results. The produced glycerin-water material helps preserving the leaves of plants for a fairly long time. The leaves and the bulbs of the plants convert their color progressively, from green into brown colour, but without being withered. As soon as the brown glycerin mixture reaches the top of the leaves, the flowers are ready. You will observe that the leaves and the veins have changed completely their colour. The bulbs of plants can be maintained in very good situation as long as four0five years, with the use of a similar micture.
* Our team has created a guide for producing soap from glycerin (with pictures).
(The guide is in .pdf format)
(Ελληνικά) . . . . . . . . . . . (English)
4.4 Production of Bubbles (jump to top)
This methodology refers to the combination of glycerin with water and cleaning soap (in liquid form) and the creation of a liquid that can be used for producing bubbles, as an alternative to chemical bubbles that are sold in the market. Absolutely safe, with minimum costs, this product is available in liquid form, with the ability of creating bubbles for parties.
* Our team has created a guide for producing soap from glycerin (with pictures). (The guide is in .pdf format)
(Ελληνικά) . . . . . . . . . . . (English)
Production of bricks, using sawdust and glycerin: this methodology concerns the combination of glycerin with solid biomass waste (such as maize, straws etc) and the production of a solid material that can be used for burning, as an alternative to coal. This product is available in market as a fuel and can produce energy equal to ≈16kJ/g. It is noted that for better results in the compaction, slim sawdust should be used: the reason is that the final product will have a more stable form and it will be therefore easier to be transported and used.
* Our team has created a guide for producing soap from glycerin (with pictures). (The guide is in .pdf format)
(Ελληνικά) . . . . . . . . . . . (English)
Clean glycerin can be used in numerous applications as additional matter. The absence of toxicity and the total safety of glycerin can benefit considerably. Glycerin is used in a lot of consuming products, as the goods of personal care, cosmetics, medicines and foods. The technology for manufacturing pharmaceutical glycerin exists, but from an economic view, it may not be appropriate as it needs big initial investment and also needs specialized treatment.
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