Biodiesel Plant Teaching Equipment

Biodiesel Plant is designed for practical teaching and laboratory investigation of the chemical transesterification of vegetable oils for biodiesel production. The system demonstrates a two-stage, continuous production process and enables students to study the main stages involved in biodiesel production, separation, purification and methanol recovery.

The plant incorporates two heated stirred tank reactors for chemical transesterification and two-phase separation systems for separating the products and by-products. Methanol recovery through distillation helps reduce the amount of methanol required, while biodiesel washing through absorption supports the removal of impurities from the biodiesel.

Process parameters can be varied to investigate their influence on biodiesel production. A PLC provides plant control and a touch panel is used for operation. Data acquisition via USB supports recording and analysis of experimental measurements.

Designed and manufactured by Atico Export to meet the practical requirements of modern technical education laboratories.

Tanks :

• Stirred tank reactors: 2 × 5 L
• Vegetable oil storage tank: 110 L
• Chemicals storage tank: 45 L
• Product tank: 110 L
• By-product tank: 45 L
• Methanol tank: 6 L
• Phase separator / biodiesel washer: 3 × 15 L

Pumps :

• Peristaltic pumps
• Maximum flow rate: 25 L/h

Measuring Ranges :

• Temperature: 6 × 0…100 °C
• Pressure: 1 × 0…6 bar (absolute)
• Flow rate: 11 × 0…30 L/h
• Level: 3 × 1…22 cm
• Level: 2 × 1…29 cm

Physical and Environmental :

• Supply unit dimensions (L × W × H): approximately 1900 × 790 × 1700 mm
• Trainer dimensions (L × W × H): approximately 2200 × 790 × 1700 mm
• Weight: approximately 560 kg

Power and Electrical :

• Mains connection: 230 V, 50 Hz, 1 phase

Required for Operation :

• Vegetable oil
• Potassium hydroxide
• Methanol
• Nitrogen: 0.06 kg/h, minimum 2 bar
• Water connection and drain: 400 L/h, minimum 2 bar
• Exhaust air and ventilation: 245 m³/h
• PC with Windows recommended

• Chemical transesterification of vegetable oils
• Two-stage, continuous process
• Two heated stirred tank reactors for chemical transesterification
• Phase separators for separating products and by-products
• Methanol recovery through distillation
• Biodiesel washing through absorption to extract impurities
• Variation of process parameters to investigate biodiesel production
• PLC for plant control
• Touch panel for PLC operation
• Data acquisition via USB
• Suitable for practical investigation of biodiesel production processes