THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH FOR TREATING HIGH FFA FEEDSTOCKS
- These readily available, less expensive feedstocks contain a significant amount of FFA's (Free Fatty Acids). These FFA's must be removed prior to the transesterification process, as they will form soap through an alkali catatlyst during transesterification.
Traditionally, FFA found in biodiesel feedstocks are converted into Fatty Acid Methyl Estser (FAME) through esterification with methanol and using sulfuric acid (H2S04) as a catalyst. A number of approaches for the method exist.
-Remove FFA with Na0H and centrifuge (Neutralization/Caustic Stripping
-Convert FFA into methyl estsers with acid esterification athen proceed with transesterification - -Convert the high FFA into monoglycerides then proceed with transesterification
-Separate the FFA and triglycerides and treat separately
FFA's react with alcohol under an acid catalyst, producing ester and water. This reaction is described in the following equation.
-High yield loss in the high FFA feedstocks -Dealing with the wast disposal and permitting issues
-Sulfuric acid creates a toxic water disposal stream
-Requires the extra step of neutralizing the biodiesel stream before transesterification
All of these things equate to additional unnecessary and costly steps that could be avoided by utilizing the smart science of SRS Engineering's preferred esterification process.
- Lowers costs associated with feedstock by allowing up to 100% FFA based feedstocks
- Up to 99.7% FFA converted to biodiesel, not soap
- Eliminates the issues of handling and permitting chemicals and acids
- Extended lifetime of catalyst with the proper treatment
- Improved quality of both biodiesel and glycerin
- No Sulfur or other metal added
- Significantly reduced sodium methylate usage in transesterification
Our solid based heterogeneous esterification technology is designed to minimize the overall costs of equipment, eases the complexity of operations and can be used for up to 20% FFA from multi feedstocks. SRS' process is a 2 stage estserification process with 90% conversion in each stage. This enables the use of feedstockssuch as trap grease, brown grease, waste vegetable oil, yellow grease, high FFA tallow, poultry fat, choice white grease, pork fat, algae oil, soybean oil, corn oil, jatropha oil, palm fatty acid distillate, palm sludge oil, and coconut oil.
HOW IT WORKS
Our adjustable system configuration provides optimum output for minimum costs while using any feedstocks with up to 100% FFA. A single stage reaction is enough to reduce FFA levels as low as 0.1% in feedstocks containing low FFA levels, while a two or three stage system would cover any feedstock up to 100% FFA.
Degumming / Bleaching Pretreatment:
In order for the oil and/or fat to be properly treated in the esterification reactor, the feedstock has to be clean of impurities such as ionic species and components, phospholipids, metals, gums, unsaponifiables, water, and other solid impurities.
Use of a degumming and bleaching unit is essential for feedstocks not meeting the above standards. The presence of gums, metals, and water affects the life of the catalyst and thus reduces the yield. SRS is aware that not all biodiesel plants utilize a bleaching and degumming pretreatment process. That is why we offer support to select a pretreatment plan to fit your needs.
Our years of experience in the biodiesel industry along with our reputation for state-of-the-art design and engineering have propelled SRS to the forefront of the ever changing biodiesel industry.
We provide our clients with these all encompassing array of solution based services, custom-made to fit your companies specific biodiesel requirements. From assessing your esterification needs and custom fitting an engineering package through installation, start up and training.
Contact SRS Today to Learn More
800-497-5841 or 951-526-2239