Here's a company that has plans to make a 3 million gallon per year biodiesel plant using a continuous process as opposed to batch processes. Any thoughts?
www.evercatfuels.com
http://www.evercatfuels.com/press.asp
It is actually 3 million gallons a day!
I think that's a typo. The other other article says "per year." 3 million gallons per day would be about a billion gallons a year. I don't think that's very realistic.
Oh, I don't know what is realistic. Just stating what the article said. :) But hey, it is continuous, So maybe they could make that much! haha
Here's a company that manufactures a smaller, 350,000 gallon/year (1,000 gal/day) continuous process machine.
www.biodieselsolutions.com
Does this reduce any costs?
You'd need to call them to get an idea of the operational costs ...From their web site:The BiodieselMaster is a fully-automated, continuous biodiesel production system that is sized to meet a community’s fuel needs. With a BiodieselMaster any community can produce their own ASTM grade biodiesel from local oil crops or animal fats.
Now you have an alternative to the huge cost and hassles of a large biodiesel plant. No specially trained technicians, no tank farm and no large construction project. Keeping it supplied is far more manageable than a large plant. Just keep your oil and chemical tanks filled, and keep off-loading ASTM biodiesel.
With a BiodieselMaster you can:
* Cut your fuel costs dramatically by cutting out the “middlemen” and most transportation costs * Secure your fuel availability by keeping your fuel production right in your local community * Reduce your dependence on imported oil and take pride in “home grown fuel” * Decrease emissions of greenhouse gases by using biodiesel instead of petroleum diesel * Provide a cleaner and more responsible fuel alternative to your neighborsYou can contact them at:Biodiesel Solutions Inc1395 Greg Street, Suite 102Sparks, NV 89431 Toll Free: (877) 358-6400Main: (775) 358-6400Email: sales@biodieselsolutions.com
Hi All,
Just a thought on the continues flow systems.. If you were to put in a system that large you have to remember that the types of equipment that is involved in a system like that is very, very expensive ,and also could require a lot of maintenance, unless everything is up to a specific quality standard.Especially if you were to use waste vegetable oils and waste fats. All of the centrifuges special filtration systems are costly and can be very expensive to repair too. That is why a multi/tank system is less costly and is easy to make repairs if needed. Just a thought. Thanks,, Duff Streeter www.michiganbiofuel.com
3 million gallons per year is pretty small for a continuous plant which includes all of the unit operations. There is a real economy of scale when it comes to continuous plants. Most plants being installed that are continuous are >5 million gallon per year but probably on avaerage 20 to 40 million gallon per year.
Biodiesel Solutions - Discontinued Operations
On April 15, 2008, BSI ceased its development operations of factory-built biodiesel processing equipment called the BiodieselMaster® due to rising input costs and the development of more efficient means of converting vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel.
The Company sold production and shop equipment previously used in BSI operations for $13,264 on July 9, 2008. The Company wrote off $396,806 of intangibles, goodwill, and remainder of the fixed assets at June 30, 2008.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/96664/000136110608000272/renewal_10q-063008.htm