EWB-Wits Biodiesel Project Progress Report

Free State Projects Co-op. Ltd.

Technical Advisors
http://freestateprojects.org

1
Introduction
The Wits Biodiesel Project is an EWB Wits initiative founded by former EWB-Wits vice-chairperson Robert Louw. This
project aims to recycle waste cooking oil produced on campus into usable diesel. In order to do so, a biodiesel plant
has been built and is currently being operated at the Oricol Environmental Services recycling facilities at Wits
University. The project is currently under the leadership of Joshua Subel who maintains relationships with the
projects sponsor, Oricol Environmental Services, through their project manager, Daniel Fourie, and with the
projects technical advisers, Free State Projects, through their development co-ordinator, Daryl Fuchs.

The biodiesel project has been running for the past four years under the leadership of Robert Louw as well as the
assistance of a team of 5 members. In 2013 Robert stepped down as project leader and the position was offered to
Joshua Subel. During this transitional period the team was re-structured. This allowed for the expansion of the
project through the inclusion of new, diverse members. The current team consists of 10 members spread over a
range of disciplines and levels of study.

Biodiesel Team 2014

Joshua Subel (Project leader)
Angeliki Albanis
Busisiwe mashiane
Daniel Kapelus
Kimberley Taylor
Michael Gustavo
Mpendulo Jayiya
Tumisang Kalagobe
Matsobane Mawasha
Raquel Sorota

Progress January May (2014)

The primary focus this year has been to improve the safety standards and working environment of the plant.
Substantial safety upgrades were made to the room which included a bounded area, enamelled paint, acquisition of
a spill kit and placement of the necessary signage. Several hundred litres of waste product (produced over the
entirety of the projects lifetime) was removed for disposal thereby allowing for comfortable movement around the
plant as well as easy evacuation in the event of an emergency. Recently, each item in the room was assessed for
usefulness and either organised or removed. The equipment at the plant has been stripped down to only what is
needed to operate the plant and a few tools and spare parts. These items are categorically stored on newly installed
shelving.

All plastic piping used on the plant has been replaced with a more flexible, durable and leak-resistant piping. The
valve system used to operate the plant has been redesigned and simplified in order to accommodate the new piping
and facilitate the operation of the plant by a single worker. It has been suggested that in order to reduce energy
losses that the plastic piping be replaced with insulated steel piping. As the focus of the project has shifted to
optimising and expediting the production of biodiesel, this will not take place in the immediate future.

A successful test of the plant has taken place. Although the plant is capable of producing biodiesel, there is room for
improvement in both the construction of the plant and the chemical process.

2
Issues to address
Reaction vessel drainage
Oil input
Measurement of reactants
Concentration of reactants
o Technical Advisor Daryl Fuchs of Free State Projects and has emphasized the importance of
determining the concentration of free fatty acids in the oil in order to optimise the ratio of reactants
used. Chemical titration methods will be investigated for future implementation.
Drainage of products

Steps Forward
Several more test runs are needed to evaluate the adjustments made to the process and finalise the
operating procedure.
Once satisfied with the process, training of an Oricol employee to operate the plant on a daily basis will
commence.
A launch event is in the planning stages and will take place later in 2014.
Structural alterations are being designed and implemented to address the aforementioned issues.

Appreciation
The execution of this project would have been impossible without the time, effort and financing provided by our
sponsors: Oricol Environmental Services. It has been a pleasure to work with Oricol and EWB Wits is immensely
grateful for all they have done. Oricol has demonstrated a huge commitment to the exploration and energising of
alternative fuel, and we thank them for their efforts in the green movement on campus.

As students our specialist knowledge is limited. The involvement of our technical advisors, Free State Projects, has
allowed us to move forward and do so confidently. Their guidance and expertise, and the time dedicated by
development coordinator, Daryl Fuchs, has been tantamount to the establishment and success of this project and
will no doubt be invaluable as the project moves forward.

It must be noted that each member of the biodiesel team is part of the project purely on a volunteer basis with no
financial incentive. The time and effort they have dedicated clearly shows in the quality of their work and inspires
confidence in the next generation of engineers.

Conclusion
The Wits Biodiesel Project is in good standing and will continue to move forward at an accelerated pace. Many
ambitious targets have been set, but there is every reason to believe that they will be met in a timely and cost
efficient manner. The primary obstacles to the operation of the plant have been successfully overcome and all
remaining challenges pose no substantial threat to the long term success of this project.

3
Appendix- Biodiesel Plant Reaction Vessel and Facility
Waste cooking oil is fed through a steel mesh into a 200 litre steel drum. From here it is pumped into a modified
geyser to be reacted with methanol and potassium hydroxide. Soap and glycerol, the by-products of the reaction,
are separated from the fuel by a water wash which takes place in the plastic wash tank.

The walls and floor are painted with an enamel paint to mitigate the damage caused by chemical splash/spill should
it occur. Saw dust is kept on-site to soak up any minor spills. A full chemical spill kit is also available for use in the
event of any major leaking or accidents.

4
The chemical reagents, potassium hydroxide, methanol and waste cooking oil, are safely stored in unobstructive
areas and away from the plant exit/entrance. The perimeter of the room, including the doorway, is lined by
cemented bricks to contain any major spills to the plant room.

Safety equipment such as rubber gloves, protective goggles and fume masks are worn at all times while operating
the plant. Cleanliness, order, and safety have proven essential to the successful operation of the plant.