BIODIESEL PROCESS EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
Built to Last
Pacific Biodiesel Technologies is your full service equipment provider for new biodiesel plants or retrofits. Click on a link below for equipment-related information.
| General Product Description | Process Description |
| Process Systems | Labor Requirements |
| Scalable Production Platforms | Fuel Quality |
| Guarantee/Warranty | Safety |
| Feedstock Flexibility | Environmental |
General Product Description
Pacific Biodiesel production systems are fully integrated with a production capacity of 1,600 to 32,000 gpd (500,000-10 million gpy). These systems are designed for fuel producers seeking to use multiple feedstocks available in their region. Our systems provide exceptional value of scale, with a competitive capital investment per gallon of capacity and low operating costs. These plants utilize a waterless semi-batch process which combines the advantages of batch and continuous processes into a single package. They are ideal for the producer with the goal of utilizing regional agricultural and recycling feedstock sources to serve local biodiesel consumers in a very cost competitive way.
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Process Systems
Pacific Biodiesel Technologies designs, builds, and installs biodiesel process systems ranging from 500,000 - 10 million gal/yr (1,700-34,000 tons/yr) and provides complete design and installation services for our proprietary biodiesel and co-product process technologies. With every process system, we provide:
- Installation manual outlining scope of project, customer responsibilities, timelines and engineering data for a successful installation
- Detailed design of process system with all pertinent engineering data
- Pre-assembly of major process equipment
- Installation of all process equipment at customer’s site
- Operator Training
- Startup Assistance
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Scalable Production Platforms
| Platform | Capacity (in millions of gallons/year) | Capacity (in metric tons per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform I | 0.5 - 1.5 Mgpy | 1,700 - 5,000 tons/yr |
| Platform II | 1.3 - 2.6 Mgpy | 4,400 - 8,800 tons/yr |
| Platform III | 5.0 - 10.0 Mgpy | 17,000 - 34,000 tons/yr |
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Guarantee/Warranty
Guarantees: Pacific Biodiesel guarantees that our superior process chemistry and robust technology will easily meet ASTM D-6751-07b standards.
Warranty and Continued Support: All equipment and workmanship provided by Pacific Biodiesel is warranted for one year from the date of installation, with all major process vessels warranted for five years. Further support, including parts and labor is provided as needed on a cost basis.
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Feedstock Flexibility
Our biodiesel production system utilizes virgin vegetable oils of any type, animal tallow including beef, poultry, and pork lard, as well as used cooking oil and yellow greases with a free fatty acid (FFA) content up to 15%. Production is performed in batch for easy feedstock blending, efficient chemical loading, and quality control.
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Process Description
Dry and filtered feedstock is reacted with methanol using a hydroxide catalyst in a two stage process yielding fatty acid methyl esters. If the feedstock has an elevated FFA content, the oil is first esterified with methanol to convert the FFA to methyl esters. After removal of the co-product, the crude methyl ester is vacuum distilled to remove excess methanol. Following distillation, the ester is treated through the dry refining process, which removes catalyst residues, free glycerin, and other undesirable products soluble in the ester. After filtration the biodiesel is tested to ensure compliance with ASTM D6751-07a, then discharged to storage.
The crude co-product separated from the ester during production is treated and then vacuum distilled and fractioned to recycle and recover all excess methanol, and glycerin. This improves yield from the biodiesel process to the theoretical maximum, and produces resulting glycerin of greater than 80% purity.
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Labor Requirements
Our systems are designed to be run by two operators up to 24 hours per day. Running three shifts reduces operating expenditures through more efficient utilization of equipment and lower capital costs. Much of the process is fully automated, including control of reaction conditions and distillation equipment.
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Fuel Quality
A robust adaptive production and purification process insures that fuel quality from the biodiesel production system is exceptional, easily meeting ASTM D6751-07b standards. Certain fuel parameters related to the feedstock, such as cloud point, may be analyzed on a case-by-case basis by our quality management lab.
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Safety
All vessels are stainless steel and piping is constructed of stainless or carbon steel, with appropriate biodiesel compliant elastomers. All vessels, piping and equipment are manufactured according to code specified for their intended use. All electrical equipment is designed for Class I, Division II environments. The biodiesel production system is designed to NFPA guidelines. Location of the process system should be conducted in concert with local agencies to ensure full compliance at your location.
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Environmental
The biodiesel production system produces no waste water, resulting in easier permitting and minimal environmental footprint. All vessels and distillation equipment in the plant containing methanol are vapor tight and vented using a countercurrent vapor recovery system.
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