INUSE International, Inc.

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Greenwood, IN 46142 USA
(317) 317 889-1528 - www.INUSEintl.com

The Application Of
Centrifuges In
Biodiesel Production
A Paradigm Shift from Batch To
Continuous Processing

White Paper

January 2007
The Application Of Centrifuges In Biodiesel
Production
A Paradigm Shift From Batch To Continuous Processing

Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide a brief introduction on the
benefits of applying of centrifuge technology to biodiesel production.

Biodiesel Production Demands The Optimization

of Current Technologies

• Demand for biodiesel as a viable petrochemical alternative is

growing exponentially.
• Traditional “garage-style” production methods such as settling tanks,
filters and similar methods are slow, expensive, and cannot meet
growing demand.
• A new method for biodiesel production must speed up production
without diminishing product quality, while remaining cost-effective.
• This new method must not require a large-scale redesign of current
facilities and must easily “plug-in” to existing systems.
• A paradigm shift from a batch-process to a continuous-process
philosophy will maximize business profitability.

Industrial centrifuges, as a proven technology, may deliver clear and

measurable financial and operational results.

Batch Production
Current biodiesel production methods may incorporate one or several
technologies in the production process. In the non-chemical treatment of
raw biodiesel fluids, the use of filters and settling tanks is commonly
accepted technology for storage and physical treatment of biodiesel
fluids. While effective, filters and settling tanks entail labor intensive
attendance, time, space, and operational costs, including the use of
costly chemicals used to accelerate production. These are both the
features and pitfalls inherent to a batch production mode of biodiesel
manufacture.

© 2008 – INUSE International, Inc. 2

Continuous Production
The introduction of centrifuge technology in biodiesel production enables
a transformation from a batch production mode to a continuous
production mode. Because centrifuges are a proven technology, they
are a safe technological alternative to the optimization of biodiesel
production. Depending upon the production methods used, biodiesel
centrifuges may be used to enhance two clearly identifiable purposes in
biodiesel production – as clarifier centrifuges and as separator
centrifuges.

Clarifier Centrifuges
The term "clarification" is used to describe a separation of solids from a
liquid. A clarifier is a centrifuge designed to discharge suspended solids
from a liquid by using centrifugal force. In the early stages of settling tank
production, screens and coarse filters generally serve the purpose of
clarifying large suspended solids in raw biodiesel oil. In the latter part of
the clarification process, settling tanks are used to finish the clarification.
This process is slow and costly. A clarification centrifuge serves as a
"miniature settling tank", and accelerates the settling process by
subjecting raw biodiesel oil to several thousand G forces. Essentially any
suspended solids spin out from suspension, accumulate, and may be
manually cleaned from the centrifuge or discharged through an
automated ejection feature built into the machine. This is essentially a
liquid-solid clarification process.

Figure 1: A Self-Cleaning Clarifier Centrifuge - Raw biodiesel

stock is pumped into the bottom of the centrifuge. As the fluid
rises and fills the machine, the fluid passes through a series of
discs. These discs cause particles suspended within the fluid to be
subjected to a repetition of high G force environments which
ensure multiple opportunities for complete solids clarification. The
clarified fluid exits from the top of the machine. Solids are spun
out to the sides of the centrifuge bowl. One added benefit of using
a clarifier centrifuge is that it typically spins out any suspended
water content along with the solids.
FEATURE: When selecting a biodiesel clarifier centrifuge, take into
consideration that cheaper alternatives force you to stop
production and manually clean the machine. US Centrifuge
technology supports uninterrupted production by incorporating the
automatic ejection of solids on-the-fly as a programmable feature.

© 2008 – INUSE International, Inc. 3

Separator Centrifuges
The term "separation" is used to describe the result of centrifugal force
acting upon one liquid which separates into two or more liquids. In
biodiesel production, the feed stock is first clarified in a clarifier centrifuge
as described above. Then the stock is sent to a separator centrifuge.
While subjected to high G forces, the fluid typically separates into a
heavy phase (glycerol) and a light phase (usable oil stock). In later
stages of biodiesel production, after the raw stock has been heated and
mixed with catalysts or other chemicals, the fluid may be once again
pumped into a biodiesel centrifuge. In order to cause the heavy and light
phase is of the fluid to separate within a few seconds. After sufficient
separation, the two phases of liquid exit the centrifuge through separate
ports.This is essentially a liquid-liquid separation process.

Figure 2: A Manually Cleaned Separator Centrifuge – Raw

biodiesel stock is pumped into the bottom of the centrifuge. As the
fluid rises and fills the machine, the fluid passes through a series
of discs. These discs cause the fluid to be subjected to a repetition
of high G force environments which ensure that the fluid has had
multiple opportunities for complete separation. Upon arriving at
the top of the centrifuge, the distinctive heavy and light phases of
the fluid exit through separate ports.
FEATURE: Unique US Centrifuge technology allows adjustment of
the separation of heavy and light phases through the use of unique
exit valves. When selecting a biodiesel separation centrifuge, take
into consideration that cheaper alternatives do not allow the
adjustment of separation.

© 2008 – INUSE International, Inc. 4

Benefits Of Centrifuge Technology
Business and operational benefits of using US centrifuge technology in
your biodiesel production process may include:
• Reduction in time vs. product output
• Reduction in labor vs. product output
• Reduction of floor space vs. product output
• Redeployment of current floor space
• Cost-effective
• Labor reduction
• Process-intensive systems reduced, simplified or eliminated
• “Plug-and-play”
• Accelerated ROI
• No point-of-failure in production system*

Value added benefits

Value added benefits of working with US centrifuge:
• Systems Design – US Centrifuge, Inc. Systems Consulting
• Maintenance – 12-18 month annual servicing on-site or at US
Centrifuge
• Training – Installation, Operation, Optimization & Maintenance
• Warranty – Full warranties to protect your investment.
• Support – Deep industry experience in related engineering, controls,
and service.
• Ancillary – Tanks, filters, mixers, pumps, and system automation.
• Equipment buy-back for credit towards upgrade.
• Lease and lease-to-own options ease up-front capitol investment

Financial And Operational Benefits.

Some financial and operational benefits you may enjoy include:
• Faster production - finished product in mere seconds
• Particulate-free product in mere seconds
• Oil/glycerol separation in mere seconds
• Plugs into current process
• Reduces costs by reducing your footprint
• Reduces numbers of settling tanks, pipes, pumps, hoses, fittings
• Reduces maintenance
• Reduced overall production facility reduces operational liability
• Reap profits by shifting from a Batch- to a Continuous-process
strategy

© 2008 – INUSE International, Inc. 5

Contact Us
Call US Centrifuge, Inc.:

• Ingvar Nilsson
(317) 317 889-1528
www.INUSEintl.com

INUSE INTERNATIONAL Inc.

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© 2008 – INUSE International, Inc. 6