Biodiesel

Alkoxides for Biodiesel

As a bridging technology, biodiesel can be produced from diverse feedstocks, including recycled cooking oil and second-generation raw materials such as Jatropha curcas or algae, which are not used as food crops. We have accompanied the development of biodiesel since the start of commercial production. In addition to traditional feedstocks, we focus on second-generation raw materials. These include above all Jatropha curcas or algae, whose harvest does not compete with food cultivation.

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Alkoxides for Biodiesel

In many countries, blending biodiesel with fossil diesel is mandatory. The green fuel is biodegradable and can be used in existing diesel engines. Compared with fossil diesel, biodiesel combustion can result in lower soot emissions and lower life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, biodiesel is not a hazardous material, which makes it easier to transport, store and handle. Biodiesel is characterized by excellent lubricity and is also gentle on the vehicle engine.

The key benefits of biodiesel at a glance

Biodiesel can offer lower CO₂ emissions than fossil diesel, depending on the feedstock and production route.
Over its life cycle, biodiesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil diesel, with the reduction depending on the feedstock used.
Lower soot amounts in exhaust gas
Biodiesel is not a hazardous material
Biodiesel is biodegradable
Less energy requirement and lower costs through transesterification

Our alkoxide product portfolio is tailored to the special requirements of the manufacture and use of modern, high-tech fuel. We offer:

Alkoxides as catalysts for efficient transesterification
Anti-foaming agents for effective use of biodiesel blends
Flow improvers for outstanding low-temperature properties in all regions in all seasons
Special polyamide 12 for special, durable automotive components
Process engineering consulting

From native oil to high-tech biodiesel

Transesterification

Due to their molecular structure, vegetable oils are not suitable for use as fuel in conventional diesel engines. Vegetable and animal fats consist of triglycerides, that is, the combination of the trivalent alcohol glycerol with three fatty acids. If the glycerol is replaced with methanol, the viscous vegetable oil is transformed into a fuel with excellent flow characteristics: biodiesel.

And all it takes is a simple chemical reaction called transesterification, which involves mixing methanol with a small quantity of an alkaline catalyst which provides cost savings and performance and selectivity that provides a good biodiesel yield. The most effective catalysts are the metal alkoxide catalyst sodium methylate in the form of a 30% solution in methanol (NM 30) and potassium methylate in the form of a 32% solution in methanol (KM 32), both from Evonik.

In addition to the main product, biodiesel, transesterification also yields glycerol as a valuable byproduct.

Our Catalysts

Product	Application / Requirements of Raw Materials	Solution
Sodium methylate solution in methanol (NM 30)	The leading component in the transesterification of vegetable oils Water content max. 0.1%	30%
Potassium methylate solution in methanol (KM 32)	For basic oils with an FFA (free fatty acids) content higher than 1.0% e.g. recycled cooking oils and animal fats Water content max. 0.1%	32%

Both catalysts can be used in anhydrous production processes in a closed circuit directly from the storage tank without any additional intermediary steps. This reduces the risks associated with handling alkoxides to an absolute minimum.