FLOTTWEG CENTRIFUGES for biodiesel production

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a fuel produced from natural fats and oils. Raw materials are mainly vegetable oils such as rape seed oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, etc.

processes used to create biodiesel dependent on the origin and quality of the raw material. Biodiesel is produced when triglyceride, which is a major component of natural

Biodiesel (fatty acid ester) and glycerin water, the products from the transesterification reaction, are commonly processed in order to comply with the most up-to-date purity standards.

Biodiesel is used for replacement for conventional diesel fuel, thus reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. There are different production

fats and oils, is converted into fatty acid ester. This transesterification reaction is carried out by the addition of alcohol, mostly methanol, and catalyst.

Biodiesel production

Centrifuges are applied in several process stages.

of fine solid impurities from biodiesel (fatty acid ester)

DECANTER for the solidliquid separation of washed precipitated salts (e. g. potas-

DISC STACK SEPARATOR for the liquid-liquid separation of glycerin water from biodiesel (fatty acid ester)

TRICANTER for the simulta

sium sulfate) in glycerin processing

neous 3-phase liquid-liquidsolid separation of biodiesel (fatty acid ester), glycerin water and precipitated salts

DISC STACK CLARIFIER for the solid-liquid separation

(e. g. potassium sulfate) in glycerin processing.

FLOTTWEG CENTRIFUGES for production of biodiesel

FLOTTWEG is a leading international manufacturer of sedimentation centrifuges and has sold thousands of centrifuges into hundreds of applications since the early 1950s.

FLOTTWEG has a worldwide sales and service network with its own subsidiaries, branch offices and representations.

neering and aftermarket staff will insure for maximum availability of your centrifuges.

Machine availability and reliability is our goal. Our

FLOTTWEG CENTRIFUGES are being utilized by well known biodiesel producers and engineering companies.

efficient designs, our commitment to adhere to the highest manufacturing standards, and our highly experienced engi-

Control unit for blanketing centrifuges using inert gas

FLOTTWEG CENTRIFUGES are ATEX 95 validated and can be installed in ex-zones 1 and 2 in temperature classes T3 and T4. When using a unit in ex-zone 1, a FLOTTWEG CENTRIFUGE is blanketed with inert gas, most commonly, nitrogen. For this duty, FLOTTWEG provides a special inert purge gas control unit.

FLOTTWEG is ISO 9001 certified and manufactures all products in compliance to the latest technical standards.

FLOTTWEG PRODUCTS are designed and manufactured in GERMANY.

FLOTTWEG DISC STACK CENTRIFUGES for the production of biodiesel

Disc stack centrifuges with self cleaning bowls are used for clarifying 2-phase solid-liquid suspensions and for separating 3-phase liquid-liquid-solid suspensions. FLOTTWEG recently developed the AC series of disc stack centrifuges. These centrifuges are equipped

with the SoftShot discharge system and feature very accurate partial discharge and smooth operation.

DISC STACK CLARIFIER Dependent on the production process and raw material, after drying, the fatty ester still can contain some fine solid impuri-

During the production of biodiesel, disc stack centrifuges are commonly utilized in the following stages:

ties. In the final cleaning stage, all these solids should be completely removed. Disc stack clarifiers are used for this purpose.

feed inlet

Clarification

feed inlet liquid discharge light liquid phase discharge

3-phase separation
heavy liquid phase discharge

solids discharge

solids discharge

DISC STACK CLARIFIER

3-PHASE DISC STACK SEPARATOR

3-PHASE DISC STACK SEPARATORS After the transesterification reaction, there is a mixture of biodiesel (fatty acid ester) and glycerin water. In most biodiesel production processes, the transesterification is carried out in 2 stages. Most of the glycerin water that is produced in each stage is separated by gravity. The residual amount of glycerin water in the ester is separated using disc stack

centrifuges. In order to achieve maximum transesterification efficiency, the amount of residual glycerin in the ester should be as low as possible. After the second stage, complete separation of the glycerin water is important, because the amount of residual glycerin is critical to the quality of the biodiesel.

catalyst, and glycerin are separated via one or multiple washing stages with water. The water has to be separated in each stage. Disc stack centrifuges are used for this purpose. Nearly all the water not chemically bonded to the biodiesel can be removed using a disc stack centrifuge. The chemically bonded water is separated via vacuum drying.

Non desired components in the biodiesel such as soap,

Special features of FLOTTWEG DISC STACK CENTRIFUGES

Dramatically reduced down time for cleaning and flushing when compared to a manual disc stack centrifuge

High availability and minimal down time for service and maintenance due to modular construction

Minimal liquid losses and higher biodiesel yield with the FLOTTWEG SoftShot bowl

Extremely smooth running operation via modern belt drive design

discharge system due to accurate partial discharge

Type Materials of construction Overall dimensions* (L x W x H) Gross weight*

AC1000

AC1500

AC2000

AC2500

All product wetted parts are made of high grade stainless steel such as DIN 1.4418, 1.4501, 1.4462 (Duplex), 1.4571 and 1.4404 (AISI 316L) 35 x 20 x 40 900 x 500 x 1000 mm 915 lbs. 415 kg 7.5 hp 5.5 kW 7.5 gpm 1700 l/h 60 x 40 x 70 1500 x 1000 x 1800 mm 3860 lbs. 1750 kg 20 hp 15 kW 26 gpm 6000 l/h 80 x 47 x 83 2000 x 1200 x 2100 mm 5300 lbs. 2410 kg 50 hp 37 kW 53 gpm 12000 l/h 80 x 47 x 80 2000 x 1200 x 2000 mm 7600 lbs. 3450 kg 75 hp 55 kW 97 gpm 22000 l/h

Motor

Capacity*

Optional

Also available in explosion proof version according to Class I, Division 2, Group D or ATEX 95 zone 1 with inert gas purge and zone 2 (for Europe)

* To be understood as guidelines. Actual capacity depends on type and composition of raw material. Technical data FLOTTWEG DISC STACK CENTRIFUGES

FLOTTWEG DECANTERS/TRICANTERS for the production of biodiesel

FLOTTWEG DECANTERS are used for continuous separation of suspended solids from liquids and clarification of liquids.

of two immiscible liquids with different densities and one solid phase, provided the liquids have a different density and the solid phase is the

difference is the separate discharge of the two liquid phases.

DECANTERS/TRICANTERS are used for processing the raw glycerin from the transesterification reaction.

FLOTTWEG TRICANTERS simultaneously separate a liquid-liquid-solid suspension

heaviest phase. Construction and function are similar to a decanter. The most important

FLOTTWEG DECANTER

liquid discharge under pressure

feed inlet

solids discharge

FLOTTWEG TRICANTER

heavy liquid phase discharge under pressure

feed inlet

solids discharge

light liquid phase discharge by gravity

The FLOTTWEG TRICANTER separates biodiesel (fatty acid ester), glycerin, and precipitated salts (e. g. potassium sulfate) in a single step.

In some processes, potassium sulfate is washed using methanol. In this case, the crystal mass is slurried using methanol and then separated using a FLOTTWEG DECANTER.

Special features of FLOTTWEG DECANTERS and TRICANTERS

Quick and accurate adaptation to varying operating condtions: FLOTTWEGs adjustable impeller allows for continuous variation of the pond depth during machine operation.

an optimal amount of fresh, non-recycled oil to the main rotor bearings. Floodless oil delivery reduces bearing operating temperature and overall energy demand.

the feed stream generate. Thus, the FLOTTWEG DECANTER/TRICANTER adapts itself to varying process conditions. The FLOTTWEG SIMP-DRIVE operates with standard frequency converters.

and centrifuge housing. Small positive and negative pressures can be maintained by regulating the purge gas supply.

Maximum bearing life and minimal energy demand: FLOTTWEGs simple, compact, and maintenance-free air/oil (droplet) lubrication system continuously delivers

Maximum solids dewatering: The FLOTTWEG SIMP-DRIVE system automatically controls the scroll differential speed according to the torque load that the separating solids from Gastight versions allow for safe operation with flammable media by introducing inert purge gas into the rotor and by inertizing the process chamber

Type Materials of construction Overall dimensions* (L x W x H) Gross weight*

Z23-3

Z4E-3

Z4E-4

Z6E-3

Z6E-4

All product wetted parts are made of high grade stainless steel such as DIN 1.4463 (Duplex) and 1.4571 (AISI 316 Ti) 65 x 39 x 24 1615 x 985 x 600 mm 1672 lbs. 760 kg 15.0 hp 11 kW 129 x 40 x 48 3226 x 1000 x 1200 mm 5720 lbs. 2600 kg 30.0 hp 22 kW 10.2 hp 7.5 kW 149 x 40 x 48 3736 x 1000 x 1200 mm 6600 lbs. 3000 kg 30.0 hp 22 kW 10.2 hp 7.5 kW 181 x 68 x 60 4527 x 1705 x 1500 mm 17556 lbs. 7980 kg 75.0 hp 55 kW 20.4 hp 15 kW 206 x 68 x 60 5147 x 1705 x 1500 mm 20306 lbs. 9230 kg 100.0 hp 75 kW 25.2 hp 18.5 kW

Motor for bowl drive Motor for scroll drive (FLOTTWEG SIMP-DRIVE) Capacity*

4.4 gpm 1.0 m3/h

22.0 gpm 5.0 m3/h

33.0 gpm 7.5 m3/h

66.0 gpm 15.0 m3/h

88.0 gpm 20.0 m3/h

Optional

Also available in explosion proved version according to Class I, Division 2, Group D or ATEX 95 zone 1 with inert gas purge and zone 2 (for Europe) The mentioned FLOTTWEG CENTRIFUGES are available as DECANTER for 2-phase separation and as TRICANTER for 3-phase separation.

* To be understood as guidelines. Actual capacity depends on type and composition of raw material. Technical data FLOTTWEG DECANTER/TRICANTER Adjustable impeller

FLOTTWEG worldwide

FLOTTWEG headquatered in Vilsbiburg/Germany, near Munich has subsidiaries and branch offices in Australia, Brazil, China, Germany (Ratingen/Leipzig), France, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, U.K., USA as well as representations in nearly all countries worldwide.

On our homepage www.flottweg.com under contact/service you will find your competent contact person.

We will support you any way we can!

Own subsidiaries and branch offices

Representative:

Telephone +49 8741 301-0 Telefax +49 8741 301-300 mail@flottweg.com www.flottweg.com

PR 0004 ZB 10 11 / 05

Flottweg GmbH & Co. KGaA I n d u s t r i e s t r. 6 8 84137 Vilsbiburg Germany