Biodiesel Pilot Plant Processing Research

Biodiesel processing research and development using pilot plant technologies.

The Intertek PARC Pilot Plant center has extensive experience and capabilities in working with biofuels and biomass feedstocks to help clients improve and enhance biodiesel biofuels yields and quality.

Regardless of their origin, triacylglycerides in biomass feedstocks, such as soybean oil, can be converted to biodiesel by trans-esterification with methanol or ethanol to yield biodiesel, as fatty methl esters (FAME), and glycerol.  The catalysts used for this process have typically been sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide dissolved in alcohol.  The catalysts can be delivered to the manufacturing plant as either solid flakes or methoxide solutions.  They are homogeneous catalysts that end up in the glycerol product phase which will need to be neutralized. 

Further complications arise when the triglycerides contain free fatty acids which will form "soap" and water when they react stoichiometrically with sodium or potassium hydroxide.  Yellow greases contain between 5-15% free fatty acids, while brown greases contain in excess of 15% free fatty acids. 

Depending on the level of free fatty acids present, an acid-catalyzed esterification pretreatment step may be required.  Heterogeneous catalysts are needed that can handle the simultaneous conversion of triglycerides as well as free fatty acids to FAME.  Intertek PARC now offers its pilot plant services to assist in the research and development of heterogeneous catalysts for the simultaneous conversion of triglycerides and fatty acids.

Contact us to see how Intertek can help your organization with Biodiesel Pilot Plant Processing Research.