Production of biodiesel and other biofuels with LEWA pumps

Biofuels are made from renewable energy sources, which are inexhaustible by human standards.

Biodiesel, bioethanol and pure vegetable oils are already being used today in large volumes. The production of synthetic fuels from biomass is being tested in the first pilot systems.

Already at an early stage LEWA supplied several pumps for this development of 2nd generation biofuels to research companies.

Solution

LEWA pumps are used in a wide variety of processes for the production of biodiesel and other biofuels.

Depending on the particular application, different pumps that optimally meet the respective requirements are used:

  • Conventional process for producing biodiesel with LEWA ecosmart pumps for metering of additives (up to 300 l/h, up to 80 bar, ambient temperature)
  • Alternative process for producing synthetic fuels with LEWA ecoflow or LEWA triplex as high-temperature process pump for increasing reactor pressure (15 m³/h, up to 250 bar, up to 350 °C)
  • Esterification of organic fats or oils with methanol in the high-pressure process with LEWA triplex, process pump as feed pump for oil or methanol, (100 to 2400 l/h, up to 250 bar, up to 100°C)
  • Thermal decomposition of organic waste with a LEWA metering pump as feed pump for biomass (100 l/h, up to 320 bar), ambient temperature and a recirculation pump (250 bar, 350 °C)
  • Newly developed synthesis process for the Bioliq® pilot system at KIT Karlsruhe with various LEWA metering pumps and high-temperature pumps

Areas of application

LEWA pumps in various processes for biofuel production:

Illustration

Process description

Process

Diagramm for biofuel production

Conventional process for biodiesel production: Esterification of vegetable oils with methanol.

Low pressure 1st generation

Diagramm for biofuel production

Alternative process for synthetic fuel production: 
Gasification of carbon-containing raw materials for the production of synthetic gas (CO+H2), which is subsequently converted into a long-chained fuel using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. In the last process step (hydrocracking), the desired BTL fuel (synfuel) is generated at temperatures < 200°C and a process pressure up to 90 bar. 

For more information about this, visit:  www.bioliq.de

High pressure 2nd generation

Diagramm for biofuel production

Similar process (conventional)
Esterification of organic fats or oils with methanol in a high-pressure process.

High pressure 2nd generation

Diagramm for biofuel production

Thermal decomposition of organic waste for the production of crude oil with a low boiling point as well as gas with a high hydrogen content.

High pressure 2nd or 3rd generation

Background

The use of biofuels offers significant advantages in comparison to fossil energy sources:

  • Environmentally friendly by reducing CO2 emissions in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol
  • Excess capacities of industrial agriculture can be used sensibly
  • Political independence from oil states, global availability of the raw material
  • Can be used with current and future engine technology, because production of a synthetic fuel can be "customized"

Biofuel production 1st generation:

Vegetable-oil-based fuels

SourceFuelsTargets
Oil-bearing plants from agriculture production:
  • Rapeseed
  • Sunflowers
  • Soybeans
  • False flax, etc.
 
 
  • Natural vegetable oils
  • Biodiesel
 
 
  • Long-term security of the economic benefit from betterment by exemption from the mineral oil tax
  • Creation of optimum conditions for cultivation of raw materials
  • Market share increase
  • Increased blending guidelines
 

Biofuel production 1st generation:

Bioethanol:

SourceFuelsTargets
Renewable resources
  • Grain
  • Corn
  • Sugar beets
  • Potatoes
  • Sugar cane (abroad), etc.
 
 
  • Ethanol
  • Ethanol/gasoline
  • blends
  • ETBE*
* See legend
 
  • Long-term security of the economic benefit from reduction of the mineral oil tax
  • Creation of optimum conditions for cultivation of raw materials and a system for source verification management and quality assurance
  • Successful introduction into the fuel market by blending with fossil fuels
 

Biofuel production 2nd generation:

Synthetic fuels (synfuels):

SourceFuelsTargets
Gasification of renewable resources, biogenic and renewable residual materials:
  • Wood
  • Straw
  • Dried digestate
  • Residual materials from management of waste and residual materials
 
 
  • Gaseous synfuels containing methane and hydrogen
  • Liquid synfuels as a substitute for gasoline and diesel
  • Methanol
 
 
  • Long-term security of the economic benefit from reduction of the mineral oil tax
  • Creation of optimum conditions for cultivation of raw materials
  • Creation of a system for source verification management and quality assurance
  • Successful introduction into the fuel market by blending with fossil fuels
 

Biofuel production 3rd generation:

Hydrogen

SourceFuelsTargets
From biomass through thermochemical and microbiological processes as well as from electrolysis, powered by photovoltaic systems and wind power plants. 
  • H2-CH4mixture for fuel cell
 
 
  • Long-term security of the economic benefit from reduction of the mineral oil tax
  • Creation of optimum conditions for use of resources
  • Creation of a system for source verification management and quality assurance
  • Successful long-term introduction into the fuel market
 

Legend:

TermDescription
Biofuels:

Synfuels:
BTL:
GTL:
CTL:
CNG:
LPG:
ETBE:
FAME:
RME:
Renewable fuels and propellants

Designer fuels
Biomass to liquid
Gas to liquid
Coal to liquid
Compressed natural gas
Liquefied petroleum/propane gas
Ethanol tertiary butyl ether
Fatty acid methyl ester
Raps methyl ester
Diagramm for biofuel production

Industries

Reliable pumping solutions for Refineries
Refineries industry

Pumps and Metering Systems for Distillation Plants and Applications in Refineries

Crude oil must be cleaned, separated, and converted (refined) until the final products suitable for sale are made (e.g., gas, diesel, heating oil, lubricants, propane, butane). LEWA supports you with pumps and metering systems, which are used in the refining process during chemical metering. Application with our products are distillation plants, coker, cracker, or visbreaker, for example. Ask our experts for more information!

More Details
For energy utilities LEWA provides customer specific pumping solutions
Energy industry

Metering Packages and Pumps for Power Plants and Power Suppliers

LEWA supports power plant operators and power suppliers with pumps and systems for conveying, metering, and mixing different fluids. We not only provide power plants with our products, but also develop solutions for wastewater treatment plants, gas bottlers, biogas producers, regional power suppliers, and hydrogen producers.

More Details

Products

LEWA ecoflow diaphragm metering pump all around talent

LEWA ecoflow® Diaphragm Metering Pump

LEWA ecoflow: The Innovative Universal Metering Pump with DPS Diaphragm Protection. Trusted across all industries, this modular system pump excels in a wide range of applications. Experience unparalleled versatility and reliability with our ecoflow, the ultimate choice in metering pump technology.

More Details
LEWA ecosmart diaphragm metering pump

LEWA ecosmart®: Diaphragm Metering Pumps

Experience the innovative LEWA ecosmart, a compact diaphragm metering pump offering multiplex capabilities at a competitive price. We assure the renowned LEWA quality, backed by our 70 years of market expertise. Choose LEWA ecosmart for smart metering pump solutions without compromising on quality or performance.

More Details
LEWA ecodos diaphragm metering pump

LEWA ecodos®: Mechanical Diaphragm Metering Pumps

The LEWA ecodos metering pump delivers absolute reliability, cost-efficiency, and adaptability for applications preferring non-diaphragm actuation. Trust in our proven modular system to design the optimal metering pump tailored to your specific needs.

More Details
LEWA ecodos sanitary/hygienic diaphragm metering pump

LEWA ecodos®: Sanitary / Hygienic Diaphragm Metering Pumps

The LEWA ecodos is also offered in a sanitary/hygienic version, expertly meeting all operational standards for pharmaceutical and food production metering pumps.

More Details
LEWA ecoflow process pump

LEWA ecoflow®: Process Pumps for High-Pressure Applications

The innovative ecoflow diaphragm process pump excels in high-pressure applications across industries including oil and gas, refinery, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and food and beverage production.

More Details
LEWA triplex process pump

LEWA triplex®: Compact Process Pumps for High-Pressure Applications

The LEWA triplex process diaphragm pump stands out as one of the world's most compact high-pressure pumps, ideal for installation in confined spaces. Renowned for its robustness, it has demonstrated exceptional performance across various high-pressure processes in multiple industries.

More Details
Pomac rotary lobe pump

Pomac rotary lobe pump

The flexible and economical positive-displacement pump for hygienic standard applications all the way to complex sterile applications with low-viscosity, viscous and/or shear-sensitive media.

More Details
NIKKISO Non seal canned motor pump

NIKKISO NON-SEAL canned motor pump

The NIKKISO NON-SEAL canned motor pump has been designed specifically for the chemical industry. To do this, the centrifugal pump is designed in accordance with API 685.

More Details
HMD Kontro centrifugal pump

HMD Kontro sealless solenoid driven centrifugal pumps

HMD Kontro sealless solenoid driven centrifugal pumps are the first choice for handling toxic, aggressive, flammable, hazardous and high-value fluids. Protecting pumping fluid, people and the environment is particularly emphasized here.

More Details
Sundyne centrifugal pump

Sundyne & Sunflo high-speed centrifugal pumps & compressors

Sundyne process pumps in accordance with ISO-13709, API-610 (OH5 OH6) and Sunflo pumps are the best choice for applications with high heads and small flow rates. The centrifugal pumps feature a simple design and consistent performance data.

More Details
Sundyne Ansimag centrifugal pump

Sundyne Ansimag sealless magnetically driven centrifugal pump

The sealless magnetically driven centrifugal pump Ansimag is simple in construction, but effective in use. All wetted parts are lined with ETFE. With the Ansimag pumps, it is possible to meter different types of fluids, even aggressive acids and solutions at temperatures up to 121 ° C. The Ansimag series meets the ASME / ANSI B73.3 standards for sealless magnetically driven centrifugal pumps.

More Details

Keep in touch with us

Get insights into our products and applications for liquid metering. You will also receive all the latest news about LEWA as well as invitations to our exclusive events.

Social Media

LEWA is on LinkedinLEWA is on YouTubeLEWA is on Instagram

©2024 LEWA GmbH  Terms & Conditions Privacy Imprint