Grace Materials Technologies
Technical Information
®
SYLOBEAD Molecular Sieves
for Biodiesel
Introduction
SYLOBEAD® Molecular Sieves are beaded zeolites with a
clay (binder) in pore sizes of 3Å, 4Å, 5Å and 10Å that are
offered in various bead sizes.
Biodiesel is a valuable alternative to conventional
petroleum-based diesel fuel. It is bio-degradeable and has
almost no detrimental effects on the envireonment. The
worldwide drive for less dependence on fossil fuels and
natural gas resources, coupled with an increased
environmental awareness, has accelerated the demand
for this alternative fuel.
Zeolite molecular sieves are crystalline, highly porous
materials, which belong to the class of aluminosilicates.
These crystals are characterized by a three dimensional
pore system, with identical pores of precisely defined
diameters. While the pore size is determining the selective
adsorption behavior, the bead size is influencing the
pressure drop and the mass transfer zone of the adsorber.
Biodiesel is a fatty acid alkyl ester obtained from renewable sources. It can be produced from a wide range of
feedstocks including vegetable oils, animal fats and used
cooking oils.
Water in biodiesel could make the fuel go rancid and alter
its chemical structure. SYLOBEAD® Molecular Sieves can
help you solve these issues.

Vessel
Zeolite Cage

Biodiesel
H2O

Molecular Sieve
Biodiesel
Zeolite Crystal

SYLOBEAD® molecular sieves
are beaded zeolites with pore
sizes of 3Å, 4Å, 5Å and 10Å in
various bead sizes.
The Biodiesel Process
Process Flow Scheme
Biodiesel will typically be produced according to the
process scheme shown to the right.
The biodiesel must meet certain standards, such as
ASTM D6751 or EN14214. The current standards have
set the water specification at 500 ppm maximum; however, it is expected that in the future this specification
might be reduced even further. Although not miscible
with water, biodiesel is a very hygroscopic fluid. When
biodiesel is stored in tanks for a longer period of time
(>24 h), water absorption is reported to take place.
Water in biodiesel can alter its chemical structure and
increase the free fatty acids levels.
Purified Feedstock for
Biodiesel Production (Oils, Fats)
Solvent
(e.g., Methanol)
Catalyst
Transesterification
Glycerol
Biodiesel Impurities
In some cases, microbial growth has been observed in
biodiesel, potentially causing fuel filter plugging. In order to
overcome this issue and deliver to the end user biodiesel
that safely meets the above mentioned standards, longer
term stored biodiesel must be additionally dried. Biodiesel
drying with molecular sieves is a well established process
that can be applied to storage tanks in remote areas, far
away from the biodiesel manufacturing plants.
Crude Biodiesel
(Mixture of FAAE*)
Purification / Drying
Biodiesel, pure or mixed with fossil based diesel, that
contains water above this 500 ppm level, might cause
severe damage to the engine. The water might result in
the formation of acids and, consequently, corrosion
problems in the engine and peripheral devices.
Grace is one of the first companies offering
molecular sieves for this application.
Storage
Biodiesel
Drying
Biodiesel to Application
(Fuel Blending)
*FAAE = Fatty Acid Alkyl Ester
What We Offer
In addition to our SYLOBEAD® molecular sieve and silica
gel product range, Grace also offers a range of specialty
products and technologies that have been developed
specifically for edible oil and fat refining and associated
industries. Grace TRISYL® silica is engineered to
significantly reduce polar contaminants from biodiesel
feedstock oils and fats. For more details, please refer to
our TRISYL® silica literature, available at
www.grace.com/Products/TriSyl.
2
The SYLOBEAD® Advantages
SYLOBEAD® MS518 Molecular Sieve is a 4Å product
that has been specifically sized to improve mass transfer
in order to cope with the viscous biodiesel.
Grace brings a team of experts working together to assist
you in setting up and designing your biodiesel drying unit.
We continously seek to improve our products, adapt them
for new applications and add new products to our portfolio.
SYLOBEAD® MS518 Molecular Sieve shows the
following product characteristics:
The Biodiesel Drying Process
< Good selectivity for water
< Excellent adsorption capacity
< Sound kinetics, even with
high-viscous fluids (2 – 5 cP)
< Suitable mechanical strength
For more details, please refer to our SYLOBEAD® portfolio
leaflet. There you can also find information on other 4Å
SYLOBEAD® products, in case other bead sizes are required.
Biodiesel drying takes place in a circuit consisting of the
storage tank, a heat exchanger and an adsorber unit.
A pump is circulating the biodiesel until the desired
moisture content (typically 200 ppm) has been reached.
Depending on the technical environment at the final user,
the unit can be operated with a regeneration system or
to the exhaustion of the adsorbent. The way to set up
such a SYLOBEAD® MS518 Molecular Sieve based
drying unit with a regeneration system is shown below.
Our Technical Support is available to discuss with you a
solution tailored for your needs. Please contact us.
Purge off Gas (N2)
From X
Solvent
From Y
Compressor
(Optional if closed
loop regeneration)
Steam
CW
Biofuel
Solvent
+ H2O
Steam
Inert Gas
or Optional
Silica Gel
Steam
Molecular Sieve
Silica Gel
Solvent
Dry Biofuel
CW
SYLOBEAD® MS518 Molecular Sieve based drying unit
Off Spec
Solvent
+ Biofuel
To X
Distillation
Biofuel
To Y
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Grace is a leading global supplier of catalysts; engineered and packaging materials; and,
specialty construction chemicals and building materials. The company's three industry-leading
business segments – Grace Catalysts Technologies, Grace Materials Technologies and Grace
Construction Products – provide innovative products, technologies and services that enhance
the quality of life. Grace employs approximately 6,000 people in over 40 countries.
Grace has met all REACH requirements for the given deadline for Tier 1, December 1, 2010,
and can hereby assure today’s and future customers full REACH compliance of its products.
This assurance also includes the very diverse use of a spectrum of our products.
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The information contained herein is based on our testing and experience and is offered for the user’s consideration, investigation and verification.
WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, regarding results obtained from the use of our products, MUST BE DISCLAIMED since customer
operating and use conditions vary and are beyond our control. Test methods are available on request.
GRACE®, SYLOBEAD®, TRISYL® and ENRICHING LIVES, EVERYWHERE.® are trademarks, registered in the United States and/or other countries,
Enriching Lives, Everywhere.®
of W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. This trademark list has been compiled using available published information as of the publication date of this brochure
and may not accurately reflect current trademark ownership or status.
© 2012 W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. All rights reserved. Printed in Germany / September 2012 / Ref: sylobead_biodiesel_TI_E / studiohauck
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