PFT00314EN 0902

Deacidification of high-FFA fats and oils for biofuel production

Alfa Laval in briefAlfa Laval is a leading global provider ofspecialized products and engineeredsolutions.

Our equipment, systems andservices are dedicated to helpingcustomers to optimize the performanceof their processes. Time andtime again.

We help our customers to heat,cool, separate and transport productssuch as oil, water, chemicals,beverages, foodstuffs, starch andpharmaceuticals.

Our worldwide organization worksclosely with customers in almost 100countries to help them stay ahead.

How to contact Alfa LavalUp-to-date Alfa Laval contact details forall countries are always available on ourwebsite at www.alfalaval.com

ALFALA

VALisatrad

emarkregistered

andow

nedbyAlfa

LavalC

orporateAB,Swed

en.2009

Alfa

Laval

The flash deacidification opportunity

Many companies that process biofuels are looking intoways of replacing high-cost raw materials with alternativelow-cost feedstocks.

It is now possible to turn animal fats, used cooking oils andlow-quality raw materials into biofuel, using a straightforward,cost-effective process that employs flash vacuumdeacidification technology.

More than the sum of its parts

Final heater

Condensate

Steam

Steam

Condensate

Final cooler

Water

Water

Deacidified oil

Polishing filter

Polishing filter

Oil in

Trimheater

Deaerator

Heat recovery

Vacuum

Vacuum

Water

Water

Two-stage heatrecovery andcondensation

FFA

Flash vessel

Vaporized FFA

Optional

Optional

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smaller-scale start-ups. It also providesimportant commercial opportunities forcompanies interested in launching intothe biofuel market as a new product line.

Compared to the traditional deacidificationprocess, which employs stripping gasor steam, an Alfa Laval flash vacuum

system requires less energyand involves lower utilitiesconsumption and lesscapital investment, aswell as lower installationand operating costs.

At the same time, itprovides muchgreater operatingflexibility withrespect to thenature and qualityof the feedstock.

Combined advantageAlfa Laval has combined a series oftried-and-tested processing technologiesand equipment into a unique configuration,in order to undertake the flash vacuumdeacidification of low-quality oilsand fats.

The Alfa Laval flash deacidificationsystem is able to process awide range of different kindsof triglyceride oils and fats witha free fatty acid (FFA) contentof up to 50%, providing anoutput in which the residualFFA content isapproximately 1%,depending on specificoperating conditions.

This unique Alfa Lavaltechnology set-up iseasily scalable andcan provide a widerange of processingcapacities.

This makes it ideal forcompanies that alreadyoperate in this fieldon a large scale, aswell as for

heater also provides additional heatingif the FFA content of the feedstock islow and the heat recovered fromcondensation is insufficient to reach therequired deaeration temperature.

Optimized final heatingThe deaerated oil is then heated toflashing temperature by an oil/oileconomizer and a final heater, beforeentering a special flash vessel. Thisfinal heating can be done by directelectrical heating, high-pressure steamor using thermal oil.

DeaerationThe feed oil is transferred through heatexchanger(s) into a deaerator, wheredissolved air and moisture are removedunder moderate vacuum.

Heat recoveryHeating to deaeration temperature iscarried out by an oil/condensateeconomizer and a trim heater. The trimheater provides heat during the start-upprocedure, when there is no heatavailable from the economizer, in orderto ensure proper deaeration. The trim

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FlashingThe required flashing temperaturedepends on the specific FFA levels inthe intake flow, the desired residualFFA content and the vacuum level. Thefeedstock is heated for a short timeand flashing takes place immediatelyhereafter. This limits the time the feed isexposed to high temperature to lessthan one minute, thus improving thequality of the treated product.

Heat recovery and final coolingOnce flashed, the oil which is still hot is transferred through an oil/oileconomizer, recovering the thermalenergy. Then the oil continues to awater-operated final cooler and into thestorage tank. Any solid impurities canbe removed from the oil using apolishing filter module.

FFA condensation with heat recoveryThe fatty matter vapours enter a two-stagecondensing system, consisting of theeconomizer and a water-operated trimcooler. The economizer alone providesfull condensing and sub-cooling of thefatty matter distillate, while the trimcooler adjusts the outlet temperature tothe desired level, independently of thefeed temperature. It also takes overduring shut down.

Vacuum system much smallerBecause the stripping steam used intraditional systems is not needed, thevacuum load is reduced by 90%.Several alternative vacuum systemscan be supplied, depending on theutilities available on site.

Capacities and utilities requirementsA range of different capacities andinstallation layouts are available,making it possible to fit the equipmentinto any appropriate space in the bestpossible way. For small processingcapacities, containerized solutions arealso an option.

Even though this unique Alfa Lavalflash vacuum deacidification systemrequires high temperatures and deepvacuum, it is a highly versatile set-upthat can be used with a wide range ofavailable utilities. For example, thereplacement of steam with electricityfor heating and vacuum duties is veryeasily achievable. Keeping the selectionof utilities open means flexibility in sitelocation, investment costs, wastemanagement and operation.

Why use flash deacidification? Can use many different kinds offeedstock (animal fats, used oils,low-grade crude oils, etc.)

Suitable for feedstocks with highlevels of FFA (up to 50%)

Provides a high-purity FFA by-product with good commercialpotential

Provides high-value deacidifed oilwith a very low FFA content(typically 1%)

Straightforward yet highly versatilesystem that can be installed atvirtually any site

Lower utilities consumption High heat recovery Lower capital investment Lower operating costs Flexibility regarding use ofdifferent utilities.

Typical flow diagram for flash deacidification system The advantages of versatility If no high-pressure steam isavailable, it is possible to switchto thermal oil or even directelectrical heating

If no medium-pressure steam isavailable for a vacuum system, itis usually possible to usemechanical vacuum systemsbecause the vacuum load fromthe Alfa Laval flash deacidificationsystem is only 10% that of atraditional stripping solution

The Alfa Laval flash deacidificationsystem can even operate ininstallations in which there is nosteam available

The system ensures waterconsumption is kept to aminimum, on account of effectiveheat recovery and an extremelysmall load on the vacuum system

It is not normally necessary toupgrade the waste treatmentplant to deal with greaterdeacidification capacity, becausethe effluent amount is very low

If there is only limited spaceavailable for installing new systems,the Alfa Laval deacidificationsystem is ideal because it onlyhas a small footprint and eachunit is low in height. Systemswith small capacities can evenbe containerized.

AlfaDisc final heaterTypical system layout

Spiral condenser