Low Ash MBM and Poultry Meal – Infrastructure Applications for Terminal Velocity Separated (Elutriated) Product
Title: Low Ash MBM and Poultry Meal – Infrastructure Applications for Terminal Velocity Separated (Elutriated) Product
Principle Investigator: Gennero Maffia
Year: 2004
Objective:
1. Fractionate the MBM into a meat rich portion and a bone rich portion
2. Test the bone portion in infrastructure (large volume, low margin) applications
3. Process the lipids in the meat portion in situ into biodiesel via transesterification with methanol
4. Recover the protein from tl1e biodiesel for furtl1er processing in collagen type applications.
Lay Summary/Industry Summary: There were three major accomplishments of this research:
I. the development of the Protein Recovery Unit for the fractionation of MBM into its constituents. This is a scalable unit operation with predictable performance and design features.
2. the demonstration of the improvement in concrete properties upon the addition of 2- 5% bone portion. This is a major breakthrough since the added material behaves as a concrete admixture which does have significant added value. Admixtures typically sell for$ 2 per kg or higher.
3. the production of biodiesel for the neat, in-situ reaction of the meat portion of MBM and the associated recovery of the protein for future use in collagen type applications
Scientific Abstract:
1. In order to control the accumulation of Meat Bone and Meal (MBM), approximately 1.5 million metric tons in 2003, and the spread of serious potential diseases such as BSE, non food applications are being investigated. This research examines the conversion of the lipid content of MBM (- I 0% by mass) into biodiesel. A fluidized bed elutriator is used to separate MBM into its constituencies. Transesterification of the fractionated meat portion of Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) to biodiesel and glycerol is achieved by reacting in situ \\ th excess methanol using both acid and alkali catalysts. The product sample is washed repeatedly to remove impurities and subsequently dried to obtain the pure new fatty acid methyl ester (FAME. biodiesel) and byproduct glycerol. The biodiesel that is produced is good quality which meets ASTM D-6751-02. Glycerol is easily recovered by decanting and filtration. The remaining solids (mostly protein) have applications similar to collagen and are being tested by the Collagen Research Group at Widener University.
2. Several processing and application technologies for Meat and Bone Meal have been studied over the past two years at Widener University. The goal is to improve the market potential for the nearly 6 billion kg per year of inedible material from animal processing. An elutriation unit operation has been successfully developed. tested and is in current operation. The apparatus consists of an air fluidized bed plus an overhead system for the collection of light (low terminal velocity) material. The elutriation apparatus has been very successful in providing fractions of MBM based on terminal velocity. The value of the various fractions of MBM in infrastructure applications (composites. admixtures. support, and insulation: >$2 B/y potential) specifically regarding asphalt and concrete is being assessed. Given the current fear over BSE. the incentives for such applications are clear. Notwithstanding the issue of BSE, the value of MBM in non-feed applications has economic incentive.