The HTPM process for Biodiesel

Oil and methanol is put under high pressure and is heated. Together and in a specific composition, they are continuously pumped through a reactor, containing a heterogeneous catalyst. Contrary to other existing biodiesel production processes, this catalyst does not take part in the reaction. In fact, it speeds up the reaction. After reaction, a separation of the produced Fatty Acid Methyl Esther (FAME or biodiesel) and glycerol and methanol, is carried out by distillation. At this stage, the degree of hydration in the presence of FFAs is kept stable.The methanol substance is re-used. The FAME (biodiesel)/glycerol mixture is then separated by centrifugation. The FAMEs produced (96.5%) will be amplified to an absolutely pure biodiesel by a second distillation process.
 

The HTPM process of FFA esterification

The FFA esterification process can be easily used in transesterification units as well a conventional biodiesel process. The oil will be fed directly, together with dry methanol, into the first esterification reactor stage. After the final reaction stage, the FFA initially contained in the feedstock will be converted to FAME and the resulting product stream can be further processed in a conventional transesterification unit to convert the triglycerides into FAME as well.

Worldwide, biofuels are predominantly being produced using pure raffinated vegetable oils. This technology virtually always uses a batch process which, to get production to an affordable price, requires larger production units (100,000 to 200,000 tons per year). The HTPM installations also handles this raw material at a comparable cost per produced per liter (investment cost, operational cost and energy cost with a depreciation over ten years) but with a lower production capacity (standard 8,000 ton/unit/year) and with the possibility of modular expansion as needed.