Biodiesel: Centrifuges

Enable a Paradigm Shift

from Batch-to-Continuous
Process Productivity
 Executive Summary

• Demand for biodiesel as a viable petrochemical alternative is

growing exponentially.
• Traditional “garage-style” production methods such as settling
tanks, filters and similar methods are slow, expensive, and
cannot meet growing demand.
• A new method for biodiesel production must speed up production
without diminishing product quality, while remaining cost-
effective.
• This new method must not require a large-scale redesign of
current facilities and must easily “plug-in” to existing systems.
• A paradigm shift from a batch-process to a continuous-process
philosophy will maximize business profitability.

Industrial centrifuges are the clear answer, and

deliver measurable financial and operational
results.
 Common Production Issues

1. Biodiesel production can be slow

2. Biodiesel production can be process-intensive
3. Biodiesel production can be inefficient
4. Biodiesel production can be costly
These problems can be seen objectively as factors of:
• Time vs. output
• Labor vs. output
• Space vs. output
• Operations cost vs. output

At the end of the day:

Output effects your Profitability
 Issue 1 of 4

1. Biodiesel production can be slow and costly – WHY?

• Solids clarification:
– Floor space cost: Tanks dispersed over large area.
• Tank-to-tank transfer of fluids takes time and space.
• Settling tanks are time-consuming for decanting and cleaning.
• Labor-cost and downtime during decanting, cleaning and maintenance.
• Expensive filters create costly production downtime -- components must be
disposed of OR cleaned for even less efficient re-use later
• Process chemicals wasted in reaction with solids - wastes input costs.
– Light-Heavy Phase separation:
• Solids suspended in both light and heavy-phase products reduce the quality and
resale value of end products.
• Chemical / physical separation require heat and/or process chemicals.
– Lots of time and space needed for production flow from process to process.
– Extensive latent time during actual production.
– Large equipment expenditure.

Time vs. output factor…

 Issue 2 of 4

2. Biodiesel production can be process-intensive – WHY?

• Pre-Production Storing
• Pumping
• Mixing
• Production Storing
• Settling
• Decanting
• Filtering
• Post-Production Storing
• Distribution

Labor vs. output factor…

 Issue 3 of 4

3. Biodiesel production can be inefficient – WHY?

• Batch production efficiency diminishes as the size of operation
increases. Efficiency per-unit volume goes down in large size production
facilities.
– Batch tracking
– Higher staff count
– Product transit from space to space
– Labor effort dispersed over a large area consumes time and effort
– Settling tanks and filter systems occupy relatively large floor space
• Ability to grow (financially & volumetrically) is restrained by:
– Current technology and
– Limited floor space

Space vs. output factor…

 Issue 4 of 4

4. Biodiesel production can costly – WHY?

• The previous three issues all contribute ultimately to cost.
• Additional factors not considered previously include:
– Cost of power to operate and maintain large facility
– Cost to insure large facility
– Environmental (fire, spills, etc.) risk of operating large
facility

All these issues effect your bottom-line

productivity.
Where do Centrifuges Make the Difference?

• Pre-Production: Gross
solids clarification
• Post-Mixing of catalyst
(phase 1): Light/heavy
liquids separation (including
water separation)
• Post-mixing settling of
catalyst and feed-stock
(phase 2): Light/heavy
liquids separation
• Phase 1 washing water
separation
• Phase 2 washing water What else?
separation*
 Particulate Separation In Mere Seconds

• Use US Centrifuge centrifuges to spin out particulate solids

and water from crude bio-oil feed stock.
• Generally removes solids down to <5 microns.
• No need to replace or use filters.
• Also keeps you from having to scrape sludge out of mixing
and storage tanks.
Throughput = static settling speed X g-force X settling area

Translation:
“A centrifuge is nothing more than a large settling
tank rolled into a compact package.”
 Oil / Glycerin Separation In Mere Seconds

• Using alkaline-based catalysts currently accepted

in biodiesel production, our stainless steel
centrifuges separate the light (pure biodiesel)
from the heavy (glycerin-based) compounds in
seconds.
 Features of US Centrifuge Equipment

• Automated particle sludge discharge (continuous

operation) or manual-clean machines (interrupted
operation).
• Oil stock is subjected to anywhere from 2000 to 18000 G
forces for fast separation.
• Process anywhere from 250 - 1500 gallons / hr.
• 1-phase 120V AND 3-phase 220/480V available.
• Explosion proof design for safe use with controlled
flammables.

Cost-effective solutions for both large & small

operations.
 Business & Operational Benefits

• Reduction in time vs. product output

• Reduction in labor vs. product output
• Reduction of floor space vs. product output
• Redeployment of current floor space
• Cost-effective
• Labor reduction
• Process-intensive systems reduced, simplified or eliminated
• Plug-and-play
• Accelerated return on investment
• No point-of-failure in production system*

All these – PLUS...

 The Centrifuge Paradigm Shift

• The use of centrifuges can enable you to enhance

your production strategy.

Reap profits by shifting from

a Batch-process to a
Continuous-process strategy.
 Value-Added Benefits

• You may enjoy these benefits by doing business with US Centrifuge:

– Systems Design – US Centrifuge Systems Consulting
– Maintenance – 12-18 month annual servicing on-site or at US
Centrifuge
– Training – Installation, Operation, Optimization & Maintenance
– Warranty – Full warranties to protect your investment.
– Support – Deep industry experience in related engineering,
controls, and service.
– Ancillary – Tanks, filters, mixers, pumps, and system automation.
– Equipment buy-back for credit towards upgrade.
– Lease and lease-to-own options ease up-front capitol investment

More than just machines – full-spectrum expertise

and support
 Financial & Operational Benefits Summary

• Faster production - finished product in mere seconds

• Particulate-free product in mere seconds
• Oil/glycerol separation in mere seconds
• Plugs into current process
• Reduces costs by reducing your footprint
• Reduces numbers of settling tanks, pipes, pumps, hoses, fittings
• Reduces maintenance
• Reduced overall production facility reduces operational liability
• Reap profits by shifting from a Batch- to a Continuous-process
strategy

Optimize your business by making the jump to

continuous processes. Reduce per-unit
production costs, accelerate production.
 Contact Us

Call Scott Behrens

at US Centrifuge
(800) 899-2040
www.uscentrifuge.com

Your Partner in Maximizing Biodiesel Production