SRS Int'l, Biodiesel Experts partner to offer enzymatic process
February 4, 2015
BY Ron Kotrba
SRS International Corp. has partnered with Biodiesel Experts International LLC to provide turnkey biodiesel refineries worldwide. The partnership combines SRS’ proven biodiesel technology for traditional chemical processes and Biodiesel Experts’ enzymatic technical process knowledge, allowing SRS to supply turnkey enzymatic biodiesel production facilities.
SRS and Biodiesel Experts have developed a transesterification system for biodiesel processing that utilizes enzymes to efficiently produce quality biodiesel on any scale. A major appeal of enzymatic processing is the ability to use low-grade feedstock high in free fatty acids (FFA). The primary job of the enzyme becomes the esterification of FFA to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The enzymes convert high-FFA feedstock with reaction chemistry into FAME by performing both transesterification and esterification simultaneously. Careful monitoring during the reaction of methanol, water and enzymes, temperature, and rate of conversion are critical to ensure high-quality finished biodiesel and optimize the number of enzyme reuses.
“We are excited to be working with Biodiesel Experts,” said George Hawranik, senior engineer at SRS International. “Incorporating their enzymatic technology into our biodiesel refinery processes is an important milestone to add to our current technologies. The hurdle of making enzyme catalyzed transesterification economically viable on a commercial scale has been overcome. The enzymatic process works at a production cost per gallon that is comparable to that of traditional biodiesel, requires lower capital investment, allows the use of less expensive, more varied feedstocks with free fatty acid content as high as 100 percent and the enzymes are immobilized so they can be used for long periods without replenishing, making it economically feasible.”
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Ernie DeMartino, President of Biodiesel Experts, said, “Working with SRS International has been an amazing experience. They have proven biodiesel technology and process equipment. Incorporating our enzymatic process knowledge will revolutionize the biodiesel industry by allowing producers to cut production costs and allowing them to use up to 100 percent FFA feedstock. We are looking forward to offering this new process.”
Biodiesel Experts works with Advanced Enzymes and its industrial enzyme division Enzyme Innovation as its supplier.
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