Methods and apparatus for controlling moisture in plant oils and liquid biofuels

摘要

The moisture absorption capacity of biofuels can be more or less 10 times that of fossil diesel oil, causing biofuels to form acids that induce metal corrosion and form deposits in the fuel tank and pipe lines. Methods for removing moisture from stored biofuels and plant oils are described wherein glycerol is used as a solvent to extract the moisture from the bioliquid or oil, comprising the steps of placing the biofuel or oil in fluid contact with glycerol, incubating for a time, and then removing the glycerol. A cellulous ester dialysis or other semi-permeable membrane may be used to prevent the glycerol from contaminating the biofuel while allowing moisture to pass. Crude glycerol produced as a byproduct of biodiesel production may be used in the method of the disclosed invention with good result. Preferred embodiments of apparatus that employ the method of the subject invention are described.

主权项

1. A method for removing moisture from a plant oil or bioliquid, the method comprising the steps of:
placing the oil or bioliquid in fluid contact with glycerol through a semi-permeable membrane, said membrane permitting moisture to traverse from the oil or bioliquid into the glycerol, but preventing the bioliquid or oil and the glycerol from mixing; and incubating the fluids for some period of time; whereby the glycerol functions as a solvent to extract moisture from the plant oil or bioliquid.