Green Fuels, Burkert develop ATEX package for biodiesel process
2 Aug 2010
London – Bürkert Fluid Control Systems has partnered with biodiesel equipment maker Green Fuels Ltd to provide a complete package of ATEX-rated valves, flow sensors, level switches, positioner systems and conductivity and flow meters.
The package for use in UK-based Green Fuels’ latest Fuelmatic system is designed to produce up to 20,000 litres per day of high grade biodiesel. The fully automated unit, which is skid-mounted for ease of shipping and installation, is attracting worldwide interest, with the 20th Fuelmatic currently being commissioned Mexico – to add to more than 6,500 processors worldwide producing 350 million litres/year of biodiesel using Green Fuels’ technology.
The Fuelmatic, a unit for medium scale commercial production of high quality biodiesel, is designed to produce up to 20,000 litres a day. As a skid mounted unit, it can easily be transported to the source of the feedstock material from which biodiesel is produced, unlike fixed biodiesel plants, where feedstock has to be transported to a central location, adding significantly to costs and emissions.
In a recent re-design of the Fuelmatic, Green Fuels signed up Burkert to provide a single source for the supply of all valves, sensors, flow meters and positioners, all of which had to be ATEX- approved EeX lA devices, powered via safety barriers. The supplier also had to provide technical support and expertise to assist in the integration of the ATEX equipment into the re-designed Fuelmatic.
The fully automated Fuelmatic is controlled by a PLC which interfaces seamlessly with Burkert’s 8640 pneumatic valve islands. These units are built to specific requirements, and save space by providing for the actuation of up to 24 valves on compact modular backplanes. The Type 8640 provides users with a combination of pilot valves I/O modules and Fieldbus communications for the control of the widest range of process valves.
On the redesigned Fuelmatic the 8640 system provides actuation of Burkert pneumatic angle seat, globe and diaphragm valves, all with Type 1062 electric feedback switches, and the Type 2712 modulating globe valve with ATEX electro-pneumatic positioner. In addition, completing the package are ATEX- approved flow and displacement sensors, vibrating level switch, positive displacement flow meters and a conductivity transmitter.
