Evaluation of an Efficient Cogeneration Scheme and Reduction of Polluting Emissions for a Pilot-Scale Biodiesel...

This work reports the implementation of a biobased reciprocating engine cogeneration system (BRECS) for the operation of a pilot-scale biodiesel batch production plant based on the IPN-GBD-1000 (1000 L/batch) process, with the aim of improving energy efficiency and pollutant emission reduction on the biodiesel industrial process. The results indicate that the plant can operate under an efficient cogeneration scheme by implementing the use of a Green Hybrid Fuel (diesel-biodiesel blends) in a 30 kW capacity diesel-electric power generator, which supplies power to the heating and electromotive systems of the biodiesel production plant. Based on the annual electrical consumption of the IPN-GBD-1000 process (7669.38 kWh/year), that produces 100 batches per year, and the annual diesel fuel demand of the electric generator (2040.06 L/year), the proposed efficient cogeneration scheme was determined according to the NOM-017-CRE-2019 methodology. For this case, efficient cogeneration (η_min > 5%) was reached by the use of B20 (80% diesel, 20% biodiesel), B25 (75% diesel, 25% biodiesel), and B30 (70% diesel, 30% biodiesel) blends, obtaining 10.8% (B20), 16.4% (B25), and 21.9% (B30) of primary energy savings due to Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) consumption reduction. Additionally, polluting emissions (CO, NOx, and particulate matter) were reduced on most biodiesel blends. Smoke opacity decreased in B5 (-19.7%), B10 (-23.1%), B15 (-29.8%), B20 (-36.5%), B25 (-46.6%), and B30 (-53.3%), compared to the ULSD. At 100% load, NOx values remained stable (-2.64% maximum reduction for B5) and CO emissions decreased (-6.09% maximum reduction for B25). Therefore, BRECS implementation is viable for industrial scale biodiesel production, integrating biodiesel blends for pollutant emission reduction.