Rohm and Haas Company (Rohm and Haas) has introduced a new AMBERSEP BD19 feedstock purification technology. The new technology is a pretreatment step designed to use with its AMBERLYST BD20 solid esterification catalyst. The alternative feedstocks can reduce cost for biodiesel producers, but they can be difficult to process and convert. This full system approach is a cost-effective solution to convert all the free fatty acids to biodiesel.
“The Biodiesel industry has faced many challenges due to the price volatility of both petroleum oil and traditional feedstocks such as soybean, rapeseed, and palm oils. As a result, many producers want the flexibility of using alternative feedstocks to ensure they have the most competitive cost position,” said Suzanne Carroll, global commercial manager, Rohm and Haas Biodiesel. “Providing technology that accounts for feedstocks with a higher level of free fatty acid and enables efficient conversion of crude vegetable oils, animal fats, jatropha oil, and fatty acid distillates as well as recycled products, such as used cooking oil and trap grease is the ideal solution for the 21st century.”
Carroll adds that several of these alternatives are considered as inedible sources that some producers may see as an advantage. Additionally, AMBERSEP BD19 purification technology extends the life of AMBERLYST BD20 catalyst by eliminating unwanted components from high fatty acid feedstocks before esterification and improving the operability of downstream Biodiesel production process. The AMBERSEP BD19 purification technology can complement and, in some cases, replace traditional oil degumming processes.
“As Rohm and Haas celebrates its 100th anniversary and history of innovation, it is fitting that we are starting the year with the launch of such enabling technology,” added Carroll.