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Biodiesel Production

Fully automatic sensor cleaning and calibration even at 2000 mm immersion depth.

Keyfacts Processs/Application

Sector

[Proc] 
 [App] 

Application

[Proc] What is produced: Raw material, reaction, product, waste materials, hazardous materials 

[App] [location of measuring point] in [installation situation(pipe/tank/reactor) in [process step]. What are the measured values used for; how often is measured


Measured Parameter

pH, ORP, DO, Cond

Key Requirements

[App] Medium; Measuring range; Media properties:

  • Temperature range
  • Pressure range
  • Ex/Non-Ex
  • What were the special or biggest requirements: Operating environment, legal requirements, medium, pressure, temperature 

pH Measurement in Transesterification

Biodiesel or FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) is produced from mostly vegetable oils and serves as fuel for diesel engines. In the EU, mainly used cooking oils and rapeseed oil are used, as well as palm oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil to a lesser extent. In the first and most important process step, transesterification takes place, the pH of which must be precisely controlled. This produces the crude biodiesel in a mixture with glycerol, which is separated and purified for further uses. The crude biodiesel is washed and purified and can then be used as fuel. 

Challenges

  • The pH value in the transesterification must be pH 9.5. 
  • Temperature: 60 °C. 
  • Installation in hazardous area (Ex). 
  • The pH sensor is sometimes strongly affected by the medium in the transesterification reaction and must be cleaned/calibrated and adjusted regularly. 
  • The installation position of the pH measurement can only be done through the reactor lid and requires a large immersion depth

Why Knick ?

- Reduced maintenance costs thanks to the fully automated cCare system.
- Ceramic sealing of Ceramat ensures minimal maintenance.

H2 [Proc] [App] Application Description

[Proc]

[App] Detailed application description, why is measured, which customer problem is solved

H3 [App] Initial Situation

Was there a solution before, which was perhaps not good enough? Have requirements changed

H3 [App] Requirements of Application

What were the special or biggest requirements: Operating environment, legal requirements, medium, pressure, temperature, installation situation

H3 [App] Solution

Products used and why the solution was implemented in this form (transmitter, fitting, sensor, cCare)

Was a previous test necessary?

H2 [App] Video

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