Information and faq's
q.Why is your processor better than the competition?
a. Most systems on the market today are based on generic batch or continuous reactors, which fail to address the demanding mixing process requirements of the two-phase mixture and viscosity of the biodiesel process. We have analysed each part of the process, measured which are the slowest processes and matched production equipment to these processes to ensure they are operated at their optimum rates. We measure in our laboratory :-
- The power dissipation rates of mixing systems
- The residence time distributions and flow patterns
- The mixing effectiveness of the system (using simulant and real fluids)
Only by gathering these numbers can we fully understand a system and its suitability for a required duty. Make certain you understand these terms before making your decisions.
q. Why is mixing important?
a. Transesterifiication reactions are low energy producing reactions (when you start with an ester and end with an ester the change in energy is very small), however, in the presence of a catalyst they are surprisingly fast and should be complete (or at least reach their equilibrium point) in a matter of seconds. However, the reaction does not occur if the oil and the methanol do not dissolve in each other (which they don’t). In this case the reaction only occurs at the interface between the oil layer and the methanol layer. To get the reaction to happen quickly you therefore need to increase the area of contact between the two liquids and this is achieved by getting the right power of mixing. Consequently most batch reactors take hours (as their power of mixing is low). Some reactors can finish the reaction in 20 to 40 minutes, such as the oscillatory baffled reactor systems and some pumped loop reactors. Our systems reduce the process times down to about a minute.
q. Can the process be intensified further?
a. Yes it can – but you will quickly realise that putting in very high mixing energies can only be achieved with very powerful machines which are complex, cost a fortune and become un-economical to run. Examples of such systems are cavitation pumps and orifice plate homogenisers which suffer from short contact times and the need for two or three systems in series making them very costly to build, operate and maintain.
q. How safe is it to make biodiesel?
a. Biodiesel processing requires the handling of methanol in air which produces potentially explosive atmospheres. The main risk will be fire, and with lots of fuel materials (vegetable oil, biodiesel etc) any fire that does occur will be intense and dangerous. Consequently there are legislations to comply with to ensure a certain level of safety. These are:- DSEAR, ATEX, COSHH, PPC Low Impact Licence and HAZOP (Hazards of operation). See the side bar for further information regarding these legislations.
