Use of Soybean Oil in Energy Generation

Abstract

This chapter deals with the possibility of using soybean oil in energy generation. The environmental, energetic and social-economic aspects are discussed. The steps for obtaining biodiesel from soybean oil are presented as well as the characterization of soybean oil and soybean biodiesel. Results for performance and emissions of using soybean oil and soybean biodiesel in a stationary engine are also presented. Vegetable oils are obtained predominantly from grains of different plant species. The oil extraction can be made by physical process (pressing) or chemical (solvent). The solvent extraction produces better results, but the more traditional way is physical extraction, which uses mechanical and hydraulic presses to crush the grains. A mixed extraction (mechanical/solvent) can also be done. Selecting the type of extraction depends on two factors: the productive capacity and oil content. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is a very versatile grain that gives rise to products widely used by agro-chemical industry and food industry. Besides is a raw material for extraction of oil for biofuel production. Soybean has about 25% of oil content in grain. In the agribusiness world, soybean production is, among the economic activities in recent decades, the most prominent. This can be attributed to several factors, such as structuring of a large international market related to trade in products of soybean, oilseed consolidation as an important source of vegetable protein and increased development and delivery of technologies that made possible the expansion of soy exploration for various regions of the world. The largest producers of soybeans are: United States, Brazil, Argentina, China and India. One possible use of vegetable oil is in the power generation engines. The vegetable oil can be used directly in diesel engines, preferably mixed with diesel. It may also undergo a chemical reaction (transesterification), yielding biodiesel and glycerol. In literature, several works are related to the use of vegetable oil and biodiesel for power generation, as evidenced below.