Acid Esterification – High FFA Pretreatment
Patent-Pending FSP System Technology
Readily available and lower-cost feedstocks often contain high levels of Free Fatty Acids (FFA). These must be removed or converted before transesterification, as they form soap when an alkali catalyst is used.
SRS International’s FSP-Series Pretreatment System efficiently converts high-FFA feedstocks into usable oils, allowing both new and existing biodiesel plants to process a wider variety of economical raw materials.
Key Advantages of the FSP-Series Pretreatment System
Low Yield Loss
Minimizes product loss during pretreatment.
Prevents Soap Formation
Converts FFA before alkali catalyst is used.
High Scalability
Handles 2.5% FFA and higher — sized from 100,000 to 150 MMGY.
Energy Efficient
Optimized design reduces energy consumption.
Fast ROI
Quick payback through access to lower-cost feedstocks.
Risk Mitigation
Enables safe processing of high-FFA feedstocks.
How the FSP System Works
- Methanol and acid are mixed and injected into the oil stream.
- The mixture is heated and reacted under controlled pressure and temperature.
- A modified waste additive is added and mixed while cooling the stream.
- A specially designed separator divides the light and heavy layers.
- The light layer (containing converted FFA) is treated into usable oils.
- Methanol is recovered and recycled for reuse.
- The usable oils are centrifuged and prepared for transesterification.
SRS International’s patent-pending FSP System allows biodiesel plants to process lower-cost, high-FFA feedstocks efficiently and profitably — while maintaining high product quality and operational reliability.
