Biofuel filtration

Mineral filter aids for renewable fuels

High market demand and environmental policies are pushing biofuel refiners to use more waste-based feedstocks. However, lower-quality feedstocks can impact throughput and performance so before these heavily contaminated oils can be converted into fuel, they need to be refined appropriately. Minerals such as diatomaceous earth (DE) and perlite can help.
  

Supporting the global transition from fossil fuels to biofuel

Renewable biofuel is a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based diesel fuel.  Biofuel is made from renewable sources such as vegetable oils (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil or HVO), animal fats, and waste oils. It is chemically identical to petroleum diesel but has a much lower carbon footprint. The production process of renewable diesel involves hydrogenation, which removes impurities such as fatty acids, phosphorus and trace metals, and increases the energy content of the fuel. Renewable diesel can be used in existing diesel engines without any modifications and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. Additionally, it has a longer shelf life than petroleum diesel and produces fewer pollutants when burned. With the adoption of renewable diesel, we can significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and move towards a more sustainable future for transportation.

How diatomaceous earth and perlite are used for filtering biofuel feedstock

Imerys has developed tailor-made biofuel filtration solutions based on an in-depth understanding of the manufacturing process, production and business constraints of the biofuel industry.  

Our product line of filterable adsorbents and DE and perlite filter aids help producers utilize a wider range of feedstock - including ‘dirtier’ fats and oils -  needed to meet demand, which is rapidly growing due to the net positive environmental impact of biofuel versus petroleum diesel.

Our broad portfolio of mineral filter aids and filterable adsorbents for significant solids removal allow producers:

• To refine heavily contaminated fats and oils to meet feedstock specifications 
• To improve throughput rates
• The flexibility to remove different contaminants thanks to the wide range of permeabilities available.

Our biofuel refining solutions include:

• Filterable adsorbent: CynerSorb®
• Filter aids: Celite® and Harborlite® product ranges

CynerSorb® provides unparalleled filtration performance

Our CynerSorb range of filtration products offers unparalleled performance when it comes to removing impurities from your feedstocks. With its superior filtration characteristics, you can reduce or even eliminate the need for silica gels and magnesium silicates in your process with our two-in-one solution, while increasing your production capacity. 

What sets CynerSorb apart from other solutions is its ability to break down soaps, phospholipids, trace metals and polar contaminants more effectively than any other product on the market. Additionally, it works in perfect harmony with bleaching earth, allowing you to significantly reduce the amount of bleaching earth required, while achieving  optimal results.

Whether you're working with used cooking oil, refined vegetable oil or animal fat/tallow, CynerSorb is the ideal choice for achieving maximum purity and efficiency in your production process.  

Reach out to our experts to sample CynerSorb today to begin your transition to natural filter aids.