Bio-diesel processor developed with help from Burkert

Green Fuels is said to be Europe's largest bio-diesel equipment supplier, designing and manufacturing a range of affordable processing equipment for both domestic and commercial use. Bio-diesel is described as a clean-burning bio-fuel produced from renewable resources, such as rape seed. It is biodegradable, non-toxic and carbon-neutral, producing 80 per cent less emissions than traditional mineral diesel.

As part of its ongoing development process, Green Fuels required a high-quality processing system; one that would be both reliable and competitively priced. To achieve this, the company needed to find a supplier with a wide range of the required products, and the expertise to assist in each stage of the bio-diesel processor development. Most suppliers were unable to provide the required range of products or the customer support. However, Burkert has a long history of working with customers that need development input, providing a full service from consultancy to system design and manufacture, through to installations and testing.

James Hygate, MD of Green Fuels, says: "We were looking for a single source supplier that would be able to provide consultancy and engineering services as well as installation. Burkert has the quality and experience that we needed to ensure the processor met all the required standards."

Burkert provides fluid and gas control and measurement systems to process control applications. The company is able to provide complete systems to meet the specific needs of the customer. Its products, including solenoid, process and analytical valves, pneumatic actuators, sensors and controllers, can be integrated to deliver single-source customised systems. Burkert is keen to work with its clients through consultancy and engineering to on-site installation and testing.

Burkert and Green Fuels worked closely to develop a system that would meet all of the application's requirements. They used a distributed skid system comprising of a pre-heated tank, reactor tank and buffer tank. The skids were pre-wired by Burkert prior to shipping to reduce on-site installation times. They are suitable for use in hazardous areas, and fieldbus communications are employed to communicate between them.

Tony Brennan of Burkert Fluid Control Systems comments: "As a company we like to develop a relationship with our customers that extends throughout the entire project rather that simply acting as a component supplier. The processor system that was developed is of a high quality yet Green Fuels is able to supply it at a fraction of the price of other leading brands."