Biodiesel Plant Optimization

TWD placed a process team with our clients engineering group to analyze the existing biodiesel production process and identify opportunities for yield and reliability improvements.

TWD won an Ontario Consulting Engineering Award of Merit for Industry, Energy and Resources as a result of this project.

The process was simulated using PRO/II and the model was validated using actual plant production data. A number of process optimization opportunities were identified.

The most significant opportunity identified was associated with the plant’s vacuum system. The objective of the plant improvement work was to deepen the operating vacuum and simultaneously to improve reliability of the equipment.

To optimize the project ROI maximum use was made of the existing equipment. Subtle changes were also made to the liquid collection systems. The process objectives were achieved through careful selection of liquid knock-out vessels and substitution of undersized equipment.