BN NATIONAL TRAIL

The Technology

The technology provided by Aker Solutions focuses on deriving the most cost efficient and flexible use of key inputs that drive plant production costs, operating performance and profitability.

One element of risk management is the ability to utilize various feed stocks to improve profitability by allowing purchase of a range of oils. This flexibility allows plant operators to choose the lowest-priced alternatives as the price of the feedstock changes.

To achieve this goal, Aker Solutions utilizes a multi-feed, continuous flow process much like current technology, but with innovative concepts resulting in much lower production cost and higher processing efficiency. Aker Solutions has improved the process for producing FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters) biodiesel. This process is continuous whereas the vast majority of existing FAME technologies are batch. The process distills various vegetable oil feed stocks including, soy, corn, canola as well as processing waste oils either as refined or unrefined oil. The process has been independently verified and is operating at a plant in Europe utilizing the same feed stocks planned for the BN National Trail Newton plant.

The process offers several major improvements: lower capital cost, lower processing cost, higher biodiesel yield and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The first improvement is 20-30% lower capital cost for the processing equipment. Through use of a co-solvent, the biodiesel reaction is completed in a single continuous step. This results in smaller reaction vessels, fewer pieces of equipment, a smaller plant footprint and smaller in-process inventories.
Lower processing cost of 20-30% is accomplished by using less energy. The continuous process allows for heat re-use, multiple drying steps are eliminated and less chemicals are required. This also results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions for the plant. Higher yield results from converting 100% of the free fatty acids (FFA’s) to biodiesel fuel, rather than disposing of them as waste. Greater than 98% efficiency is achieved.