Biodiesel & oleofuel filtration

Two solutions for effective oleofuel filtration

As high market demand and environmental policies push oleofuel refiners to use more waste-based feedstocks, we have developed two products to help improve filtration results. 

The first is our Harborlite^® 900S-SG range, which aims to overcome the problem of impurities that resist filtration. While traditional filtration methods tend to work, any impurities that carry over can cause the batches to fail testing standards from Sterol Glucosides (SG) remaining in solution. SG even at low concentrations, catalyze the formation of waxy particles in the biodiesel, increasing cold soak times.

Replacing existing oleofuel filtration systems with one using our Harborlite 900S-SG range as a drop-in filter aid can significantly enhance the quality results of biodiesel with superior SG removal where other means fail or when temperatures are not conducive to bringing SG impurities out of solution.

Biodiesel plants using soy or canola oil feedstocks to make biodiesel can benefit from using the Harborlite 900S-SG range by enabling the cold soak process to be held at higher temperatures versus conventional filter aids (up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit/-7°C with similar SG removal in tests). 

Our Harborlite 900S-SG range forms a thick permeable filter cake that’s low in bulk density, has a high void volume and porosity, and is relatively inert in most solvents with a neutral pH level. It’s also hydrophilic and low in crystalline silica. 

The second oleofuel filtration product is a two-in-one diatomite-based solution engineered to replace silica gels and magnesium silicates in oleofuel refining, simplifying the process and reducing spent filter cake and oil loss.

Previously virgin edible oils, used cooking oils and waste animal fats are used for the production of oleofuels and often contain soaps or phospholipids, glycerol and trace metals that need to be removed as part of the refining process. 

Typically, this is done during a filtration stage via the addition of a synthetic amorphous silica gel or a magnesium silicate. These products have excellent adsorption characteristics but are poor filter aids causing premature filter blockage and reduced refining capacity. 

The solution is our CynerSorb® range, developed as a two-in-one solution to replace silica gels and magnesium silicates in the refining process. 

Our CynerSorb range uses a diatomite filter aid “base” meaning it has all the filtration characteristics of a diatomite. However, our engineers have successfully surface-engineered the individual diatomite particles so they also provide the necessary adsorption functionality. As a result, our CynerSorb range can be used as a two-in-one solution fulfilling both the absorption and filtration functions.

Our CynerSorb range can also be used to eliminate bleaching earth where no colour removal is required or to significantly reduce dosing rates where some bleaching is necessary.

With excellent filtration characteristics, our CynerSorb range allows the reduction or full removal of current filter aids and increases your production capacity. It’s more effective at breaking down soaps, phospholipids, trace metals and polar contaminants than other solutions. It works synergistically with bleaching earth, allowing significant reduction of bleaching earth addition and it can be used with a number of feedstocks, including used cooking oil, refined vegetable oil or animal fat/tallow.