We successfully design and construct evaporator systems to implement and improve the vital evaporation and distillation stages of our clients' biodiesel facilities. We have successfully provided optimization of existing biodiesel production systems as well as provided new separation systems. We trouble shoot existing biodiesel production facilities to improve their performance.
TYPICAL BIODIESEL EVAPORATION SEPARATION PROCESS STEPS
Biodiesel (methyl ester) is manufactured through the trans-esterification of a variety of triglyceride feedstocks, either virgin or used/reclaimed, by using methanol and KOH/ NaOH as catalysts. The reaction and process are either batch or continuous but traditionally batch.
There are several evaporative separations which are necessary in the Biodiesel process:
- Biodiesel /methanol separation
- Glycerin /methanol separation
- Biodiesel /water separation
- methanol / water separation
Optionally: 99.5% wt Glycerin can be achieved by using vacuum distillation.
TYPICAL VOBIS BIODIESEL SEPARATION PROCESS STAGE DESCRIPTIONS
Following the reaction stage our systems are implemented to provide the following separations.
1. Evaporator for biodiesel /methanol separation
Feed: 93% biodiesel and 7% w/w methanol
Bottoms stream will contain less than 5,000 ppm (0.5%) methanol
Operation: Continuous, 24/7
Operating pressure: Atmospheric
2. Evaporator for glycerin /methanol separation
Feed: 58% glycerin and 42 % w/w methanol
Bottoms stream will contain less than 5,000 ppm (0.5%) methanol
Operation: Continuous, 24/7
Operating pressure: Atmospheric.
3. Evaporator for biodiesel /water separation
After the washes they have 1% to 3% water which must be evaporated.
Feed: 98% biodiesel and 2 % w/w water
Bottoms stream will contain less than 5,000 ppm (0.5%) water
Operation: Continuous, 24/7
Operating pressure: Atmospheric.
4. Methanol / water separation.
Feed: Feed to column is 95% methanol and 5% water (could be 98% vs. 2%)
Methanol output stream 99.9% methanol
Bottoms stream will contain 5% water
Operation: Continuous, 24/7
Operating pressure: Atmospheric.
Optionally: 99.5% wt Glycerin can be achieved by using our vacuum distillation column design.