Fish oil to biodiesel

Preseco Fish Power Solution

The Fish Power solution from PRESECO converts fish waste into usable biofuel. The fish waste of the fish processing factory is converted from costly waste into usable and marketable bio-energy.

The outputs of the pre-treatment process are proteins, wastewater and clean fish oil (see FISH WASTES TO FISH OIL).

Figure 1: Biodiesel fabrication inputs and outputs at Hiep Thanh Seafood

The fish oil is transformed into biodiesel, whereas the protein is refined for end uses (see BY-PRODUCTS) and waste water treated in a Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) and led out into the river. The PRESECO Fish Power process complies with the local waste management regulations.

Figure 2: PRESECO biodiesel processor 5800

The chemical biodiesel transesterification process

Biodiesel is a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). It is produced from a chemical reaction called transesterification. When entering the biodiesel processor, the raw material is heated up to 40-50 degrees Celsius. During heating, methanol is mixed effectively with the catalyst for the trans-esterification operation.

The biodiesel processor 5800 is an automatic unit that can process up to 16,000 litres of oil per day. With Processor automation the operational costs are kept to a minimum. The biodiesel processor is an eco-friendly option with high-quality design.

The biodiesel processor requires very little energy to run, but produces a high quality biofuel out of the local raw material. The closed system guarantees a very safe odour-free process and a user-friendly environment.

After the processor, biodiesel is ready for utilization as an engine fuel.

Figure 2: biodiesel pump at a Finnish plant

Main features of Biodiesel versus Fossil Diesel (Fuels)

Main differences between biofuels and fossil fuels are marked in green

The heat value of the biodiesel is lower than the standard fossil diesel. However, the emissions balance moves in favour of the biodiesel with significant differences:

Some more biodiesel features

• The cloud point of Biodiesel is -5 to -10°C

          It is recommended to blend biodiesel with fossil diesel at low temperature season

• Biodiesel can be blended in any ratio with fossil diesel
• Lubricity of Biodiesel is 30 times higher compared to fossil fuels
• Biodiesel is biodegradable

          The maximum storage time is 6 months

• For better yields, the input oil must have a high titration of free fatty acid content.