JJ-Lurgi biodiesel technology is the result of decades of experience in the advanced processing of oils, fats, and oleochemicals. JJ-Lurgi has been designing and engineering biodiesel plants for over 25 years, continuously refining these processes to achieve maximum reliability.
The company’s engineering approach allows for maximizing the return on investment in the shortest possible time. The quality of the final product exceeds the requirements of international standards EN 14214 and ASTM D6751, making it suitable for use in both automotive engines and the production of personal care products.
JJ-Lurgi technology stands out for its high flexibility and allows for the use of a wide range of crude oils for biodiesel production. The process adapts to the customer’s specific feedstock type thanks to a comprehensive approach to purification:
Removal of Impurities: Each plant includes a pre-treatment stage to extract undesirable components from the crude oil.
Purification Methods: The company utilizes deep expertise in chemical and physical refining processes.
Yield Maximization: Free fatty acids, separated during preparation, undergo a re-esterification (glycerolysis) process.
Economic Efficiency: Converting fatty acids back into biodiesel feedstock increases the overall yield of finished products and ensures the long-term profitability of the plant.
The Lurgi technological chain is designed as an integrated system, where each stage operates for maximum processing efficiency. The process of converting feedstock into biodiesel occurs in a clear sequence:
Pre-treatment: At this stage, crude oil undergoes purification to remove impurities, and free fatty acids can undergo re-esterification to increase the total product yield.
Oil Transesterification: Refined oils are mixed with methanol and a catalyst in multi-stage reactors. The process takes place under mild conditions: at a temperature of approximately 60°C and atmospheric pressure. The use of sequential reaction stages ensures a feedstock conversion depth into methyl esters (biodiesel) of over 99%.
Removal of Impurities and Sediment: Lurgi’s biodiesel washing technology utilizes a counter- flow extraction column in a multi-stage process to ensure maximum contact time and efficiency. The wash water removes free glycerin, methanol, and other soluble polar compounds. Simultaneously, micro-components (such as sterol glycosides and monoglycerides), which typically cause sediment formation in the finished fuel, are agglomerated and removed.
Resource Savings and Phase Separation: The uniqueness of the process lies in the patented glycerin cross-flow scheme. The glycerin formed as a by-product is effectively separated and used to optimize catalyst consumption, significantly lowering production costs.
Biodiesel Drying: A process for removing residual moisture (using dryers) to ensure the stability and quality of the fuel.
Final Product:
– Ready-to-use Biodiesel: A transparent liquid without sediment that meets EN 14214 and ASTM D6751 standards.
– Fractionation / Distillation: Additional processing to obtain distilled biodiesel or specific fractions containing methyl ester for the chemical industry.
The efficiency of a Lurgi biodiesel plant is determined not only by the quality of the fuel but also by the system’s ability to maximize the return of resources into the production cycle and obtain valuable by-products.
MethaMAX-Ti System: The CATCH-ALL concept centralizes methanol recovery, ensuring its recovery up to 99.95%. The lower part of the column is made of high-quality titanium, allowing it to withstand extreme process conditions such as low pH and high temperature.
Glycerine water pretreatment: Before further processing, water containing glycerin undergoes purification and neutralization stages (specifically with hydrochloric acid to remove traces of soap).
Glycerine water evaporation: A process of concentrating glycerin by removing moisture, which is subsequently reused in a closed-loop wastewater circuit, minimizing waste discharge.
Final Product:
– Crude Glycerin (> 80%): Obtaining a high-concentration intermediate product for industrial needs.
– Glycerin Distillation and Bleaching: The use of sodium and chlorine during synthesis ensures high glycerin purity, which can be processed with minimal losses. Thanks to Lurgi refining technologies, pharmaceutical-grade glycerin of the highest quality is produced, suitable for use in medicine and cosmetology.
The final stage of the Lurgi technological cycle demonstrates high environmental responsibility and guarantees the impeccable quality of the end product.
Environmental Protection: Thanks to the closed-loop wash water system, wastewater discharge is minimized, ensuring “zero discharge” from the main technological units.
Energy Efficiency: Transesterification processes at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure significantly reduce the energy consumption of the entire complex.
Maximum Product Yield: The technology allows for the production of one kilogram of biodiesel for every kilogram of feedstock.
Purity and Stability: The final biodiesel is a transparent liquid without sediment that remains stable over a long period.
Compliance with Standards: Low content of monoglycerides, moisture, and methanol ensures quality that exceeds the requirements of international standards.
Ready for Use: The product is fully ready for diesel vehicles and engines without the need for additional processing.
Biodiesel technology from JJ-Lurgi is a benchmark for reliability and efficiency in the modern oleochemical industry. More than a quarter-century of engineering experience has been embodied in a solution that allows for the processing of a wide range of feedstocks with minimal losses and maximum environmental protection.
Thanks to the use of advanced components, such as the MethaMAX-Ti column and the centrifuge-free washing system (extraction column), producers obtain a product of the highest purity and valuable purified glycerin. The global presence of the company and support through a network of professional partners ensure the successful implementation of projects of any complexity.
It is important to note that Quiplines LLC is the sole official representative of JJ-Lurgi in Ukraine, providing our clients with direct access to original technologies, expert engineering support, and the highest level of service.
Contact us! Our specialists will provide a comprehensive consultation, help you navigate the technical nuances, and professionally select the optimal solution that meets your specific production needs.
