MARCH metering pumps of the TEF-MAG® and VANE-MAG® series can be found worldwide in biodiesel plants of AirLiquide, formerly Lurgi AG, and JJ-Lurgi Engineering. Biodiesel is produced from animal or vegetable fats and oils. The process of producing biodiesel is called transesterification, in which the triglycerides in the fats and oils are converted into biodiesel (fatty acid alkyl esters) and glycerine by reaction with an alcohol and a catalyst. The most common alcohols used in transesterification are methanol or ethanol. The catalyst can be either a basic catalyst such as sodium or potassium hydroxide or an acid catalyst such as hydrochloric or sulphuric acid.
Pumps used
- VANE-MAG® MP/MPA – corrosion-resistant, magnetic-drive rotary vane pumps made of stainless steel or plastic for pumping biodiesel or catalysts.
- TEF-MAG® – corrosion-resistant, magnetic-drive gear pump made of plastic for pumping biodiesel or catalysts.
The process of producing biodiesel consists of several steps. First, the fatty acids are separated from the oils or fats by adding caustic soda. The alcohol (e.g. methanol) is then mixed with the catalyst and introduced into the oil. During the reaction, the glycerine is separated and collected as a by-product. The biodiesel is separated from the remaining alcohol and catalyst by washing with water and is purified. The resulting biodiesel can then be used as fuel in diesel engines.
Pump sizing
Metering pumps are generally used to inject the catalyst into the reactor because they allow precise metering of the catalyst. A differential pressure of up to 10 bar is needed to inject the catalyst into the reactor. The required delivery volume varies with the size of the biodiesel plant. In larger industrial plants, flow rates between 50 and 1000 l/h are generally required.
The VANE-MAG® and TEF-MAG® series from MARCH PUMPEN combine the good metering capability of rotary positive displacement pumps, chemical resistance through the use of entirely non-metallic materials, and leak-free operation through the use of magnetic coupling technology. All pumps in these series are also available fully electrically conductive according to ATEX 2014/34/EU for ATEX Zone 1 and/or 2.
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