Product category:
Oil, Gas, Petrochemical Industry News
News Release from: Hielscher USA | Subject: Biodiesel
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 22 June 2007
Ultrasonication changes the way
biodiesel is made
Hielscher demonstrates how ultrasonic cavitational mixing changes biodiesel production from batch production to a continuous process
Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil or animal fat by a chemical conversion process called trans-esterification Despite the use of heat, mechanical agitation and catalytic chemicals, this conversion takes approx 4 to 6 hours
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 9 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Algae oil feedstock for biodiesel manufacturing
Algae is an alternative to popular feedstocks, like soybean, canola and palm: ultrasonication improves the extraction of oil from the algae cells and the conversion to biodiesel
Ultrasonic transesterification of oil to biodiesel
Ultrasonication can improve the conversion processing of vegetable oils or animal fats to biodiesel by improved mixing and enhanced chemical activity
That is why, conventional biodiesel plants produce this renewable fuel in batches.
First, the heated oil is mixed with alcohol and the catalyst in reactor batches using mechanical mixers for approx one hour.
After that, the mix is pumped into a separation tank where it takes another 4 to 6 hours until glycerin - a chemical byproduct - settles out.
Considering the production capacities of modern biodiesel plants worldwide, this batch process requires a substantial investment for reactor batches and separator tanks.
On the Hielscher website, a flow-chart shows how ultrasonication - this is the application of powerful ultrasound to liquids - can change the production process.
Ultrasonication improves the mixing and increases the chemical reactivity of the reactants.
This reduces the time needed for the chemical conversion by up to 90% leading to a whole new perspective on biodiesel making.
Instead of pumping from batch to batch, the reactants are mixed continuously and subsequently pumped through a reactor column.
A residence time of approx 1 hour is sufficient for the conversion to complete.
A centrifuge separates the glycerin from the biodiesel.
Done! After washing and drying of the biodiesel, it is ready to be used.
Other benefits include a more complete trans-esterification of the tri-glyceride molecules, meaning that more oil is actually converted into biodiesel.
Also, it requires less alcohol and catalyst - reducing production costs and improving the environmental effect. Request a free brochure from Hielscher USA ...
• Hielscher USA: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
