Methes commissions nonchemical feedstock pretreatment system
Photo: Methes Energies Canada
February 3, 2011
BY Ron Kotrba
Methes Energies Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Methes Energies International Ltd., announced it has recently commissioned a continuous flow pretreatment processor to convert up to 20 percent free fatty acids (FFAs) in biodiesel feedstock down to less than 1 percent without the use of sulfuric acid, chemicals or resins.
Once additional testing is completed, Methes may confirm that its nonchemical pretreatment technology can handle feedstock with FFA percentages greater than 20 percent.
The system’s commissioning took place at a biodiesel refinery in Ontario, Canada, which is a client of Methes.
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“We’ve tested it over the past 12 to 18 months,” said Nick Ng, Methes Energies Canada director of business development.
He said the unit eliminates the need to degum feedstock, as it is capable of converting the gums to biodiesel instead. The company said other benefits include a quantity reduction in catalyst and higher purity glycerin. Ng said there is also no acid, chemical or resin disposal issues to worry about, and that the system is cost-competitive.
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“The biggest cost-effectiveness is in the technology itself,” he told Biodiesel Magazine.
Ng said the unit is designed for 1.3 MMgy of throughput, but he said Methes can custom-build to size for larger plants interested in greater throughput.
“We are now looking for additional capital to develop and market this new product line worldwide,” Ng said.
More information will be made available at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo next week in Phoenix, where Methes Energies Canada is sharing a booth with the company it has partnered with in development of the new system.
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