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Biodiesel from Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles: Preparation, Evaluation, and Properties

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Abstract

A coproduct of dry-grind ethanol fermentation, corn distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) represents a low-cost feedstock with potential to integrate production of biodiesel and ethanol. Oil extracted from DDGS was converted into distillers’ grains methyl (DGME) and ethyl (DGEE) esters. Pretreatment using sulfuric acid was effective at lowering the acid value of the crude oil from 27.15 to less than 0.30 mg KOH g−1, thus rendering it amenable to homogenous, base-catalyzed transesterification. Measurement of fuel properties and comparison to refined corn oil methyl (RCME) and ethyl (RCEE) esters revealed that the cold flow properties and oxidative stability of DGME and DGEE were deficient relative to RCME and RCEE. In the absence of antioxidants, DGME and DGEE did not meet the oxidative stability specifications of ASTM D6751 and EN 14214. The cetane number of DGEE was below the minimum limit specified in EN 14214. DGEE exhibited more favorable cold flow properties, iodine value, and energy content than DGME. Evaluation of blends (B5 and B20) in petroleum diesel fuel revealed that antioxidants and cetane enhancers would be required to meet the specifications of the US and European diesel fuel standards. Other fuel properties of the petrodiesel blends were largely neutral with respect to alkyl ester type and conformed to the limits specified in the respective standards.

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Abbreviations

AOCS:

American Oil Chemists’ Society

AV:

Acid value

CFPP:

Cold filter plugging point

CP:

Cloud point

DCN:

Derived cetane number

DGEE:

Distillers’ grains ethyl esters

DGME:

Distillers’ grains methyl esters

DGO:

Distillers’ grains oil

DDGS:

Distillers’ dried grains with solubles

FA:

Fatty acid

FAEE:

Fatty acid ethyl ester

FAME:

Fatty acid methyl ester

FFA:

Free fatty acid

HHV:

Higher heating value

IP:

Induction period

IV:

Iodine value

KV:

Kinematic viscosity

PP:

Pour point

RCEE:

Refined corn oil ethyl esters

RCME:

Refined corn oil methyl esters

RCO:

Refined corn oil

SG:

Specific gravity

ULSD:

Ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel

UM:

Unsaponifiable matter

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Ray K. Holloway and Erin L. Walter for excellent technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bio-Oils Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL, 61604, USA

    Bryan R. Moser

  2. Functional Foods Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL, 61604, USA

    Steven F. Vaughn

Authors
  1. Bryan R. Moser
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  2. Steven F. Vaughn
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Correspondence to Bryan R. Moser.

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Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Moser, B.R., Vaughn, S.F. Biodiesel from Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles: Preparation, Evaluation, and Properties. Bioenerg. Res. 5, 439–449 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-011-9168-9

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