Refining Solution for Biodiesel Production

Problem to Solve: A biodiesel production enterprise faced the problems of incomplete methanol removal, high acid value and moisture content of final products, low product yield and high energy consumption in the traditional biodiesel refining process. It was necessary to develop an efficient refining solution to improve product quality, increase yield and reduce energy consumption, with a target annual processing capacity of 200,000 tons.

Solution Implementation: The enterprise adopted a wiped film evaporator for biodiesel product refining, and optimized the operating parameters in different process stages. In the methanol removal process, the vacuum degree was controlled at 0.06–0.08 MPa and the temperature at 50–60℃ to ensure thorough methanol removal; in the product refining process, the temperature was maintained at 90℃ and the treatment time was controlled at 90 minutes to reduce the acid value and moisture content of the product. The wiped film evaporator replaced the traditional refining equipment, realizing rapid and efficient separation and purification of biodiesel.

Solution Effect: The methanol removal rate reached more than 99% after the implementation of the solution. The acid value of the final biodiesel product was reduced to below 0.3 mg KOH/g, and the moisture content was less than 0.05%, fully meeting national standards. Compared with the traditional process, the product yield was increased by 8% and the energy consumption was reduced by 25%, which significantly improved the production efficiency and economic benefits of the enterprise, and promoted the green and efficient development of the biodiesel industry.