Renewable energyBiofuel

Biofuel is produced from biomass resources to make liquid fuels like ethanol, methanol, and biodiesel, and gaseous fuels such as hydrogen and methane (see Biogas). Biofuels are primarily used to fuel transportation vehicles, but they can also fuel engines or fuel cells for electricity generation.

Biofuel level applications

• FERMENTATION: In ethanol production, fermentation provides a series
  of chemical reactions that convert sugars to ethanol. Ethanol and carbon
  dioxide are produced as the sugar is consumed by yeast or bacteria.
  Level control of the fermentation tank must tolerate agitation,
  aeration, and the presence of froth or foam.
• REACTOR TANK: Biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol production use
  reactors for chemical addition and mixing. In a Continuous Stirred-Tank
  Reactor one or more fluid reagents are introduced into a tank reactor
  equipped with an impeller that stirs the reagents to ensure proper
  mixing. The reactor tank requires level monitoring and alarms.
• REAGENT TANK: A reagent is a compound that is added to a system in
  order to bring about a chemical reaction. In biodiesel production, an
  alkali reagent is used in titration, a test used to determine how much
  catalyst is needed to achieve a reaction. Reagents are stored in tanks
  equipped with level controls.
• SUMPS: Liquids are collected in sumps and pits during hydrolyzation,
  fermentation, distillation and glucose processing of biofuels. As the
  liquid level rises or falls in a sump, a level switch can actuate or
  deactuate a pump or activate an overfill alarm.
• LIQUID STORAGE: A wide array of liquids are stored at biofuel plants
  including water, biodiesel, methanol, ethylene, catalysts, and waste
  liquids. Level instruments monitor inventory levels and protect against
  overfills and underfills that cavitate pumps.