KITO® - Biodiesel Information flyer

Product catalog summary

Introduction to Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a diesel-equivalent biofuel typically made from vegetable oils such as soybeans, rapeseeds, or animal fats. It is biodegradable, non-toxic, and produces fewer emissions compared to petroleum-based diesel. Biodiesel can be used in diesel engines and has the potential to replace fossil fuels as a primary energy source for transportation.

Refining Process of Biodiesel
The production of biodiesel involves a chemical process called transesterification, where glycerine is separated from fat or vegetable oil using an alkaline catalyst like potassium or sodium hydroxide. This process yields methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerine, which is used in various products.

Explosive Atmosphere Formation
During biodiesel production, the use of methanol and alkaline catalysts can lead to the formation of an explosive atmosphere. Methanol and sodium or potassium methylate are inflammable, necessitating careful handling and storage.

Technical Requirements for Storage
Storage of methanol and catalysts requires tanks with nitrogen blanketing to prevent humidity and explosive atmospheres. Insulation or heat tracing is recommended for cold climates. A 30% sodium methylate solution in methanol has specific physical properties, including a boiling point of 92°C and a flash point of 32°C.

HAZOP Analyses for Atmospheric Tanks
Outdoor storage tanks must account for climatic conditions and have venting lines protected with explosion-proof devices. Tanks are classified into hazardous zones based on the frequency and duration of explosive atmospheres.

KITO® Recommendations
For storage and safety, KITO® recommends specific devices for pressure and vacuum relief, emergency venting, and nitrogen blanketing. These include:

KITO® VD/KL-IIA and VD/KS-IIA for normal breathing
KITO® EV/O for emergency venting
Nitrogen blanketing valve ZM/R for inert gas blanketing

For vapor recovery lines, KITO® recommends flame arresters like KITO® FDN and EFA-DET4-IIA.

Storage of Biodiesel
Biodiesel has a flashpoint of over 130°C. Humidity can affect its quality, so nitrogen blanketing is sometimes used. Recommended devices for biodiesel storage include KITO® VD/OG for normal breathing and KITO® EV/O for emergency venting.

Material Recommendations
For sodium methylate and methanol applications, stainless steel is commonly used, while carbon steel is preferred for biodiesel applications.

Catalog excerpts

KITO® - Biodiesel Information flyer WHAT IS BIODIESEL? Biodiesel refers to diesel-equivalent biofuel usually made from vegetable oil derived from soy beans, raps seeds or animal fats. There are several different types of biodiesel. Usually biodiesel refers to an ester (or oxygenate) made from the aforementioned oils and methanol. Biodiesels are biodegradable and non-toxic. Their combustion results in significantly fewer emissions than petroleum-based diesel (petro-diesel). Biodiesel is currently used in diesel engines and could possibly replace fossil fuels as the world‘s primary transportation energy source.

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KITO® formation of explosive atmosphere Armaturen GmbH Refining process of biodiesel QUALITÄT ⋅ SCHUTZ ⋅ SICHERHEIT Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification, where glycerine is separated from fat or vegetable oil. This reaction takes place in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. Important industrial catalysts used in this process are potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and alkoxides. The process releases two products -- methyl esters (the chemical name of biodiesel) and glycerine (a valuable product used in soaps and other products). Production diagramm for Biodiesel...

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KITO® recommendations Armaturen GmbH Technical requirements QUALITÄT ⋅ SCHUTZ ⋅ SICHERHEIT for Storage of Methanol and the Catalyst: • Storage tank with possible nitrogen blanketing to prevent humidity or explosive atmosphere • Consider tank insulation / heat tracing for cold climates Another option is the delivery of the NaOMe or KOMe alkoxides as a “ready to use solution” in methanol, avoiding the need to dissolve solid NaOH or KOH in methanol. The physical properties of a 30% Sodium Methylate solution in methanol: Property Value Unit Flash point HAZOP Analyses for an Atmospheric Tank Outdoor...

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KITO® possible formation of an explosive atmosphere Armaturen GmbH QUALITÄT ⋅ SCHUTZ ⋅ SICHERHEIT How does air come into the tank: - Due to the atmospheric cooling, causing a condensation of vapor - During the pump out process Flammable Liquid with Flashpoint <60 °C like Methanol Fig. 1: Example of a protection a storage tank with flammable liquids Storage of a 30% Sodium Methylate solution in methanol or pure methanol: A) For the normal atmospheric in-and outbreathing KITO® recommend the following devices: KITO® VD/KL-IIA (Pressure- and vacuum relief valve deflagration- and endurance burning...

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KITO® recommendations Armaturen GmbH D) For ⋅ vapor SICHERHEIT QUALITÄTa SCHUTZ ⋅recovery line the following devices are recommended: KITO® flame arresters prevent the propagation of flames and explosions (deflagration and detonation) in all kind of tank farms where gases are collected by vapor recovery lines. Typical KITO® Detonation Arresters for this kind of applications are: KITO® FDN (In line detonation flame arrester for stable detonations) - catalogue - chapter G (Fig. 7) KITO® EFA-DET4-IIA (in-line detonation arrester-bi-directional) - catalogue - chapter G (Fig. (8) in combination with...

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KITO® recommendations Armaturen GmbH QUALITÄT ⋅ SCHUTZ ⋅ SICHERHEIT Fig. 5: Nitrogen Blanketing Valve: ZM/R by Instrum

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