BIOFUEL PRODUCT WITH FAT, OIL AND/OR GREASE COMPONENTS

Abstract

A biofuel product having constituents selected from the group including fat, oil and/or grease components. A container is formed of a biodegradable material having a multiplicity of openings of a size and shape adapted for allowing the fat, oil and/or grease components to pass through the openings to an interior area of the container. An absorbent capture material is positioned in the container and holds a quantity of the fat, oil and/or grease. The container, capture material and fat, oil and/or grease collectively comprise the biofuel product.

Claims

1. A biofuel product formed by the process of absorbing fat, oil, and/or grease from a grease trap or a surface at a vehicle repair facility, the biofuel product comprising: (a) a container formed of a biodegradable geotextile having a multiplicity of openings having an apparent opening size (AOS) of 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm that allow fat, oil and/or grease to pass through the openings to an interior area of the container; (b) absorbent capture material positioned in the container that absorb a quantity of the fat, oil and/or grease, the container, capture material and fat, oil and/or grease therein; (c) the fat, oil and/or grease absorbent capture material selected from the group consisting of sphagnum peat and mushroom compost; (d) the fat, oil and/or grease present in the biofuel product ranges between 88-75 percent total weight of the biofuel product and the capture material present in a range of between 12 and 25 percent total weight of the biofuel product; wherein the biofuel product is one of compressed pellets, logs, cakes, shredded and/or granulated.

2. The biofuel product according to claim 1, wherein the range of B.T.U. output of the biofuel product is 12,500 to 20,000 B.T.U. per pound.

3. The biofuel product according to claim 1, wherein the container is a tube.

4. The biofuel product according to claim 1, wherein the container is a three dimensional box-like mat.

5. The biofuel product according to claim 1, wherein the container is a biodegradable geotextile selected from the group consisting of cotton, hemp, ramie and jute.

6. The biofuel product according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a tether for positioning the container at an influent end of the grease trap.

7. The biofuel product according to claim 1, wherein the container includes one closed end and an open end after being filled with the capture material.

8. The biofuel product according to claim 1, wherein the container includes two closed ends.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the geotextile container in tube form according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0038] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged end view of the tube of FIG. 1, shown in an open positon for receiving a quantity of sphagnum peat material or other absorbent material;

[0039] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a geotextile container in mat form according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-section of the geotextile mat with sphagnum peat material or other absorbent material contained in the mat; and

[0041] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the processes by which the biofuel is processed into various end use configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] Referring now to the drawings, a container in the form of a tube 10 for use in the present invention is shown in the FIGS. 1-2, as noted. The tube 10 may be constructed according to many suitable constructions, but one construction comprises an elongate tube 10 that is formed of a geotextile fabric 12 that may be constructed by circular knitting, flat knitting, weaving, non-woven formation or any other fabric construction having a multitude of openings through the thickness of the fabric 12. The fabric 12 is preferably seamed along its length or circular knitted to form the tube 10. The tube 10 is preferably constructed of a biodegradable or natural material that will combust with minimal residue. The fabric 12 of the tube 10 may be constructed of any suitable natural or biodegradable yarn, for example, with a natural fiber such as cotton, hemp, ramie, jute or similar material because of its biodegradable characteristics, with apparent opening size (AOS) on the order of 0.25 to 0.5 mm depending on the size of the sphagnum peat or mushroom compost absorbent material. The empty tube 10 may be any suitable length and diameter, for example, 60 cm to 120 cm long and 7 cm to 15 cm in diameter depending on the size of the grease trap and the FOG loading from the restaurant or vehicle repair facility. As manufactured, the tube 10 is preferably closed at one end and filled from the opposite, open end. The open end of the filled tube 10 may be closed with any suitable closure, such as stitching, clips or tied off with cord at the top of the grease trap or other FOG separating and collection structure.

[0043] The tube 10 may include an opening 14 on either or both ends to receive a cord 16, as shown in FIG. 5, by which the tube 10 may be lowered into and retrieved from a grease trap or other enclosure and tethered to the grease trap or other structure while in use.

[0044] One or more coatings may be applied to the fabric 12 to prevent penetration of the fabric 12 surface by water or aqueous salts thereby allowing the fabric 12 substrate to be non-absorbent for water or soluble salts.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a container in the form of a mat 20 for use in the present invention is shown in the FIGS. 3-4, as noted. The mat 20 may be constructed according to many suitable constructions, but one construction comprises a rectangular “box” shape that is formed of a geotextile fabric 22 that may be constructed by circular knitting, flat knitting, weaving, non-woven formation or any other fabric construction having a multitude of openings through the thickness of the fabric 22. The fabric 22 is preferably seamed along its length and width to form the mat 20. The mat 20 may be constructed of a synthetic, biodegradable or natural material. The fabric 22 of the mat 20 may be constructed of any suitable natural or biodegradable/synthetic yarn, for example, a natural fiber such as cotton, hemp, ramie, jute or similar material because of its biodegradable characteristics, with apparent opening size (AOS) on the order of 0.25 to 0.5 mm depending on the size of the sphagnum peat or mushroom compost absorbent material. The empty mat 20 may be any suitable length, width and height, for example, 60 cm to 120 cm long, 30 cm to 60 cm long and 10 cm to 20 cm in height depending on the size of the grease trap and the FOG loading from the restaurant or vehicle oils from the vehicle repair facility. As manufactured, the mat 20 is preferably closed at one end and filled from the opposite, open end. The open end of the filled mat 20 may be closed with any suitable closure, such as stitching, clips, or snaps 24. The mat 20 may be seamed in such manner as to create individual compartments within the mat 20.

[0046] The mat 20 may include a loop 26 to receive a cord by which the mat 20 may be lowered into and retrieved from a grease trap or other enclosure and tethered to the grease trap or other structure while in use.

[0047] One or more coatings may be applied to the fabric 22 to prevent penetration of the fabric 22 surface by water or aqueous salts thereby allowing the fabric 22 substrate to be non-absorbent for water or soluble salts.

[0048] The preferable FOG absorbent material filled into the mat 20 is a specialized form of sphagnum peat “SP” or mushroom compost materials.

[0049] The following step by step process is expected for typical use and implementation of the FOG product and collection process. The process is explained with reference to the tube 10, but will be essentially the same when using the mat 20.

[0050] STEP 1: Introduce the tube 10 with selected sphagnum peat “SP” or mushroom compost into the grease trap or other FOG collection structure. Tether the tube 10 with cord 16 so that it stays at the influent end of the grease trap, and is the optimal location of FOG collection. Prior to placement in the grease trap, weigh the dry tube 10 so that a ‘before and after” measure of FOG collection can be established.

[0051] STEP 2: After consultation with local water and sewer regulatory officials and the owner of the FOG collection device or grease trap, setup of a regular interval to remove and replace the FOG collection absorbent tube 10. From past experience, the best way to initiate the use of the FOG remediation technology is to start off as a regulatory approved Demonstration Project where the approach and results are measured and evaluated.

[0052] STEP 3: Depending on the interval for removal and collection of the FOG absorbent tube 10, arrange for storage in covered and secured FOG containers to avoid attracting small animals and rodents that are common in and around restaurants and vehicle repair facilities.

[0053] STEP 4: Transport the FOG tubes to an SSI facility. The FOG tube 10 is then part of waste to energy, renewable energy biofuel source.

[0054] The advantage of the FOG process using the tube 10 or mat 20 is that it safely and cost effectively separates FOG in the grease trap before it is mixed with large volumes of water and emsulsified waste liquids. Separation after the fact is difficult and expensive.

[0055] The FOG absorbent tube 10 works for FOG collection because the sphagnum peat “SP” or mushroom compost materials are highly absorbent natural materials that separate the FOG from liquids or water. The absorbing characteristics are a combination of increased surface area and natural filtering processes, similar to that provided by charcoal or activated carbon. A slightly larger AOS in the filtering geotextile fabric 12 will allow more of the natural absorbing and geochemical attraction between the sphagnum peat “SP” to have better contact with the surface FOG materials to attract and collect it from the liquids/water. This approach reduces the tendency or emulsification of the FOG into the grease trap so that frequency of the grease trap pumping and remixing of the FOG and water/liquid will be reduced. Collecting the FOG from the surface of the grease trap is much more efficient and cost effective.

[0056] Estimate of the absorbing qualities of peat moss appear to be in the range of 5 to 10 kg/m.sup.2 per FOG tube 10 per week. This will be an area of applied research and measurement during future demonstration projects.

[0057] Polar molecules have a positive charge on one end and a negative charge on the other end. Non-polar molecules do not have two electrical poles and the electrons are distributed symmetrically on both sides. FOG is composed of organic non-polar compounds. Water is a polar solvent. Only polar compounds or other polar solvents will mix with water. Therefore, non-polar FOG will not readily mix with water. Depending on the source, FOG has a density of approximately 0.863-0.926 g/cm.sup.3. Water has a density of approximately 1.000 g/cm.sup.3. The lesser density substance will float on top of the greater density substance if it does not mix, thus non-polar FOG floats on water because it does not mix and gravity exerts more pull on the greater density water molecules. Water molecules are relatively small because they are only composed of one oxygen and two hydrogen molecules (H.sup.2O). They, therefore, pack closely together in a space. Molecules of oil are large and have complicated shapes, thus requiring more space than water molecules. This is why oil is less dense than water.

[0058] A few oils having densities less than water are known to be polar compounds and can mix with water and therefore not float on the water's surface.

[0059] Thus, polarity and density both contribute to oil floating on water.

[0060] Polarity is a relative term. On a sliding scale, some oils are more or less polar than others, and have both polar and non-polar attributions. Also, the heating of oils and interaction with other organic compounds it is exposed to during heating, can change the oil's chemical composition, and thus change the relative polarity.

[0061] The above referenced principles permit the method of this application to work as intended and as developed.

[0062] Further evidence supporting the “charge” principle is found at Fat, Oil and Grease Science, Dothan, Ala. Fat, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Science https://www.dothan.org/DocumentCenterNiew/3032/FOG---Science?bidId=

[0063] Testing of FOG as described above returned a B.T.U. value of 14,019 per pound using a method identified as ASTM D240. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the FOG product contains between 88-75 percent FOG and between 12 and 25 percent peat or mushroom solids as described above. Expected range of B.T.U. output is 12,500 to 15,500 B.T.U. per pound. The biofuel can be transported in its original container and subsequently compressed into a pellet, or log or other shape, shredded or granulated to increase its surface area and render it more easily combustible.

[0064] Motor vehicle oils similarly incorporated into the FOG product can produce in the range of 20,000 B.T.U. per pound.

[0065] If the FOG is originally collected in a synthetic container, transferring the FOG into some form of container of natural materials, as described above, means that the entire product, FOG, capture material and container can be used as fuel. As is apparent from the above discussion, the FOG/capture material product can be removed from its formation container for being compressed into a pellet, log, cake or other shape, shredded or granulated, or may remain in its formation container for being combusted, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0066] A biofuel product having fat, oil and/or grease components according to the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.