US-based ion exchange firm Purolite and Israel’s TransBiodiesel, which develops biocatalysts to replace chemical catalysts in the production of biodiesel fuels, have agreed to work on enzyme-loaded ion exchange resins to replace traditional trans-esterification processes based on a new, patent-pending process.

According to Don Brodie, VP of operations at Purolite, this is “the better way of converting oils and fats to biodiesel” the industry has been waiting for, “offering significant economic and practical advantages”.

“Our enzyme-loaded ion exchange resin replaces the use of sodium methylate and provides the simultaneous esterification of free fatty acid and trans-esterification of fats and oils. This enables biodiesel producers to overcome many of the downstream issues currently encountered,” he said.

Because there are no emulsifying soaps, it is claimed, biodiesel is easy to separate from crude glycerine, which in turn is easier to refine because it is significantly free of contaminants. The use of low-grade oil feedstocks, especially those with free fatty of over 3% and even up to 100% can now be used, all of which greatly improves the economics of the process.