FAQs
Q: What is necessary at my production facility in order to run the centrifuge?
A: The following equipment is needed:
- 208-240VAC 50/60 Hertz 20 Amp circuit (7.5 amps during normal operation)
- Auxiliary pumps to pressurize the incoming mix (up to 30 psi) and to move separated products to their next stage of the process
- A recirculation loop to handle excess flow rate back to the reactor / holding tank
- An air system service capable of a minimum of 90 psi. We can recommend portable or upright stationary canister air system units if an air system is not available
- Unit should be enclosed in a heated facility of at least 50 deg F
(10 deg C)
Q: How does your centrifuge design work?
A: The centrifuge separates the distinct fluid density differences between biodiesel and glycerin. The glycerin, or heavy phase, is collected around the periphery of the centrifuge and the biodiesel, or light phase, is discharged from the center. This design uses new Patent Pending technology that recognizes the phase change boundaries between biodiesel and glycerin, and biodiesel and wash water. It is a fully automatic system by means of actuated valves that control the flow of the heavy and light phase from the centrifuge. This is unique because the centrifuge can automatically respond to changes in incoming fluid phase percentages. The centrifuge also has the capability to be run manually, especially during startup and shutdown sequences.
Q: What requirements do you have
for the incoming mix to be separated?
A: The following is required of the incoming product for ease of separation:
- 120 - 150 deg F (49 - 65 deg C).
- Void of air. While bubbles to some degree are acceptable, large voids in the incoming line may cause problems. This is especially critical for the use during the biodiesel/wash water phase.
The following is NOT required of the incoming product:
- The mixture does NOT have to be homogeneous. Any concentration of the mixture is allowed.
Q: Must I remove the methanol/ethanol from the mix before separation?
A: While the centrifuge will work with the reactant still in the mix, we recommend removing the reactant (methanol/ethanol) immediately prior to entering the centrifuge due to volatility safety concerns.
Q: What is the expected purity of biodiesel and glycerin separation?
A: Tests have indicated that at 5 gpm (18.9 lpm), the remaining glycerin in the biodiesel is less than 0.5% (5 parts per 1000). This is better than what can be achieved with typical gravity settling in 8-12 hours.
Q: Is the biodiesel ready for use or sale after being separated from the glycerin by the centrifuge?
A: Not usually. It is highly recommended that the biodiesel be cleaned by one of two methods:
- Put through a series of wash cycles to remove remaining catalyst and free glycerin, reactant, and impurities. The centrifuge can then be used to separate the biodiesel and wash water.
- Dry (waterless) wash using Magnesium Silicate (MgSiO). This will require a specific press or filtration to remove particles down to 1 micron in size.
Q: Since your centrifuge is not a liquid - solid centrifuge, must I filter WVO before or after reaction prior to entering the centrifuge?
A: Our tests have shown that a screen mesh filtering (200 micron) of the WVO (Waste Vegetable Oil) before or after the reaction prior to entering the centrifuge is required. The centrifuge will need a 10 minute 120 deg F water flush for every 300 gallons of biodiesel separated to remove solid particulate buildup. No manual disassembly is required. If the oil has a low solid particulate amount, the amount of cleaning of the centrifuge will be reduced. We also offer an automatic cleaning cycle system that will clean the centrifuge with a push of a button.
Q: Can I use the centrifuge in a batch process that requires shutdown of the unit?
A: Yes, most definitely. The centrifuge is designed to be used continuously or in a batch process. The unit can be quickly and easily loaded, started, run, purged of remaining glycerin, and then shutdown.
Q: Can I use the centrifuge for separation of wash water and biodiesel?
A: Yes. However, it is suggested that the following steps are used:
- 120 - 150 deg F (49 - 65 deg C).
- Most of the water is decanted prior to final separation.
- Non-centrifugal pumps (or use pressure to transfer the liquids) are used to transfer the mix to the centrifuge.
- Emulsions cannot be removed entirely by centrifugal separation.
- Non dissolved soaps, mono and diglycerides, FFA's, etc. will generally not be separated from the biodiesel.
Q: Can I use the centrifuge for separating out the reactant (methanol / ethanol)?
A: Not really. Methanol has a specific gravity around 0.80, biodiesel is around 0.89, and glycerol is around 1.15. Around 30-40% of the methanol will go out with the biodiesel, and 60-70% with the glycerin due its polarizing nature and co-solvency of methanol.
Q: Can I use the centrifuge to separate out magnesium silicate (MgSiO) absorbant particles?
A: Not at this time. MgSiO is very abrasive to the centrifuge and may damage internal bearings. We are investigating design changes to allow for sealed internal bearings.
Q: Can I use the centrifuge to pre-filter the incoming WVO before reaction?
A: No. The centrifuge is not a liquid - solid separator. However, the centrifuge can handle particles less than 200 microns in size in low proportion to the mix and will pass them into the glycerin product.
Q: What are the materials that you use that are in contact with the biodiesel/glycerin?
A: Materials used in the centrifuge that are in contact with biodiesel are as follows:
- Mild Steel
- Nitril high pressure braided hoses
- Stainless steel manual valves
- Stainless Steel pneumatic valves
- Delrin (Acetal)
- Nylon
Q: What is the warranty for the centrifuge?
A: The warranty for the unit from arrival date at customer's site after purchase date is as follows:
Q: Are your separators UL approved and CE Marked for import into Europe?
A: Pacific Centrifuge has put every effort into designing an industrial compliant device for the biodiesel industry. We are pursuing UL testing and CE mark conformance declaration. The centrifuge has options for air purged enclosures for Class 1 Division 2 locations and European ATEX Zone 2 Group IIB rated parts for methanol use.
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