Custom Thermal Fluid System for a Biodiesel Processing Application

Biodiesel and biodiesel blends are renewable, clean-burning alternative fuels produced from a diverse mix of waste oils, such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and animal fats. A commercial-scale producer contracted with us to engineer a custom thermal fluid heating system for use in their bio-diesel processing plant. Since the demand for these sustainable, next-generation fuels is on a growth curve, we worked side-by-side with the customer at every stage—weighing all the alternatives, validating all of the design elements, and evaluating all of the components—to ensure that the system was as efficient, reliable, and scalable as possible.

We designed this system to provide precise temperature control while withstanding the rigors of an outdoor location. To comply with permitting requirements for this large-scale installation, we configured four gas-fired, 10 million BTU heaters into one central plant heating system. This horizontal, high-efficiency heating system utilizes 15,000 gallons of thermal fluid and provides process temperatures in the 500°F to 600°F range. All elements, such as the burners, tanks, piping, valves, gauges, pumps, and more are designed to survive and operate reliably in all of the extreme weather conditions of Georgia’s variable climate. To facilitate installation, we packaged the customized systems on pre-assembled skids. Headered together, the four units provide up to 40 million BTUs of controllable heating power. Running at a very low pressure of only 75 psi, it is safe to operate and easy to maintain.

A key aspect of this project involved working in close collaboration with the company’s engineering staff. By all of us working together as a team, the project progressed very smoothly, and we were able to complete the installation within a 16-week timeframe. For more information on this project, our design and engineering capabilities, or our custom thermal fluid systems, contact us today.