What items do you offer that can be used for Biodiesel processing, transfer, and storage?

There are many Elastomers and Plastics that biodiesel and biodiesel processing degrade. Care should be taken when choosing parts for your system. Here is some information we have put together on the compatibility of some of our items.

Please keep in mind that this information is designed to be used as a guide and that we leave it up to the end user to decide the suitability of our products for their application.

It is difficult to find compatibility information on Biodiesel. Most of our information below has been gathered from several different sources and may not apply to every biodiesel compound.

Materials that we have been able to confirm as being compatible with Biodiesel (Methyl Oleate) are as follows:

• Aluminum
• Steel
• PTFE
• FEP
• Kynar
• Isophthalic Polyester
• FKM
• Nylon
• Fluorinated Polyethylene
• Fluorinated Polypropylene
• Glass filled Polypropylene

Materials that we know to not be compatible:

• Buna-N (Nitrile)
• EPDM
• Santoprene
• Natural Rubber
• Neoprene
• Styrene Butadiene
• Vinyl
• Polypropylene

There are many things to consider when choosing the appropriate materials for your system. Because there are many types of biodiesel, it is often necessary to test your materials with the particular type of biodiesel you are producing.

The following is a list of products that have been successfully used with Biodiesel.

Tubing

For processing

Tygon® 2001

For pumping biodiesel fuel

Fluran F-5500-A

Tygon® F-4040-A

Tygon® 2001

For transfer tubing

Tygothane® C-210-A

Fluran F-5500-A

Tygon® F-4040-A

Fittings

For quick disconnects fittings, from CPC™ and other quick disconnect fitting manufacturers tell us that their glass-filled Polypropylene fittings are what they recommend with FKM O-rings. They suggest their non-spill line. We do not stock any with the FKM O-rings, but we can order them for you.

Nylon and Kynar fittings are both good choices for barbed or compression connectors and threaded fittings.

Note: People have been known to use PVC valves and fittings for biodiesel applications. We do not recommend using PVC since, over time, it will soften and weaken PVC, which can cause leaks in your system. Because PVC is easy to acquire and often a much cheaper option than metal parts, some people still choose to use it and just plan on replacing it when they develop leaks.

Note: FKM or Viton is compatible with biodiesel; however, it is not compatible with sodium and potassium hydroxide, which is often used in its processing of it.

Tanks

The polyethylene cone bottom tanks that we distribute for Ace Rotomold are what are typically used for biodiesel processors. While these can be used for processing, they are not recommended for storage. For storage, many people use metal drums. The only tanks we offer for storage are our Fuel and Oil tanks, which are made of a special polyethylene resin designed to hold up to fuels.

Pumps

Ryton® Body with PTFE vanes (90018 only)

Silver Star Explosion Proof Variable speed drum pump

Sandpiper® Metallic Pump series Aluminum and PTFE pumps (not available online)

If you have further questions, please contact technical support at 800-821-0349 or techsupport@usplastic.com For questions regarding the actual process or what you will need for the processor we suggest reading "From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank."