Filtering through: Clear, contaminant-free biofuels, are essential for the smooth running of environmentally friendly engines, but which filtration method is most suitable?

31st January, 2007

Removing the impurities from raw materials used in biofuel production is a basic requirement in order to eliminate fibrous materials and contaminants. Bioethanol, as the alternative to petrol, is generally fermented from crops such as cereals and sugar beet. Biodiesel is made from the transesterification of rape seed oil, soya bean oil and other materials including tallow and palm oil. Even recycled cooking oils are now being used.

The process of eliminating materials and solid impurities involves a mixture of filters at definite successive stages, which are connected in series so the filtered liquid from the first filter is then fed into the second filter. Successive filter stages effectively remove contaminants in the form of small particles, so at the last filtering stage a clean and acceptable fluid is delivered.

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