Solutions / Systematic Solution for High-Ratio Bio-Oil & Tropical Climate
Hard-to-Filter & Chemical
Systematic Solution for High-Ratio Bio-Oil & Tropical Climate
Jingyuan Membrane Filtration for Southeast Asian Diesel Purification
Key outcomes
- Oleophilic-hydrophobic separation: Polymer Rigid Composite Membrane surface energy design physically repels free water, addressing the B40 low interfacial tension challenge
- Rigid structure resists gums: rigid membrane pores are unaffected by differential pressure deformation, locking viscous gums within the filter media, preventing extrusion to downstream under pressure impact
- Gradient pore size contaminant capture: three-dimensional gradient interception design addresses B40 elution effect, layered interception improves contaminant capacity, reducing replacement frequency
Case Study
Stage 1 · Customer Problem
Southeast Asian Biodiesel Pain Points
In Southeast Asia (especially Indonesia), diesel is a complex mixed fuel deeply influenced by policy drivers (B35/B40), environmental factors (high temperature and humidity), and logistics limitations. The region has a high global biodiesel adoption rate, with diesel containing 35%–40% palm oil methyl ester (PME), which has relatively strong elution properties and instability. The high proportion of biodiesel is highly susceptible to oxidation under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions, producing gums and sludge that traditional filtration struggles to address:
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High-Ratio Biodiesel Oxidation
High-proportion palm oil-based biodiesel (B35/B40 PME) has strong elution properties that strip aging oil scale from old piping; prone to oxidation producing insoluble gums that clog traditional filter paper.
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Trace Free Water Impact
The polarity of biodiesel molecules gives them hygroscopic properties, reducing oil-water interfacial tension; trace free water forms fine droplets suspended in the oil, affecting fuel appearance and stability.
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Tropical Oxidation Reactions
Prolonged exposure to high-temperature environments above 30°C accelerates oxidative decomposition of fatty acid methyl esters, forming viscous sludge deposits that affect precision injector nozzles.
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Traditional Filtration Inadequate
Unlike particulate impurities, gums have adhesive and extensile properties, making them difficult to remove through mechanical screening alone; they clog filter media pores and adhere to precision component surfaces.
Stage 2 · Fuel Analysis · NEW
Biodiesel Fuel Contaminant Profile
Analysis of the Southeast Asian biodiesel blend before treatment revealed the following key indicators:
| Parameter | Value | Assessment |
|---|
| TAN (Total Acid Number) | 0.3–0.8 mg KOH/g | Elevated — oxidative degradation underway |
| Gum Content | Elevated | Insoluble gums clog filter media and injector nozzles |
| Oxidation Stability | Reduced | Fatty acid methyl esters decomposing under tropical heat |
| Free Water (trace) | Present (suspended droplets) | Low interfacial tension prevents conventional separation |
| Biodiesel Ratio | B35–B40 (PME) | High PME content drives elution and instability |
Note: TAN 0.3–0.8 mg KOH/g reflects early-stage oxidative degradation; gum content and oxidation stability should be monitored periodically rather than focusing solely on particle count.
Stage 3 · Solution
Polymer Rigid Composite Membrane System
Facing complex biodiesel conditions, traditional "screening-based" filtration is no longer adequate. Jingyuan employs a surface chemistry management-based purification solution using Polymer Rigid Composite Membrane technology:
Membrane Type
Polymer Rigid Composite
Surface Property
Oleophilic-hydrophobic
Structure
Rigid support (non-deforming)
Pore Design
3D gradient, outside-in
Main System
40 m³/h skid-mounted
Terminal Units
JY-G100 / JY-H130 (3 μm)
Regeneration
Gas-pulse regeneration (brief 5-15 min safety pause)
Monitoring Focus
Acid value + gum content
The membrane surface has a specific energy-level design exhibiting oleophilic and hydrophobic properties — diesel passes through while trace free water is physically repelled. The rigid support structure ensures pore size does not deform under elevated differential pressure, locking viscous gums within the filter media. The outside-in gradient pore size design intercepts eluted impurities in layers, improving contaminant capacity and reducing cartridge replacement frequency.
Stage 4 · Results
Operational Outcomes
| Metric | Before (Traditional) | After (Composite Membrane) | Improvement |
|---|
| Gum handling | Clogs filter paper, extruded downstream | Locked in rigid media, no extrusion | Rigid structure resists pressure |
| Free water removal | Ineffective (low interfacial tension) | Physically repelled (oleophilic-hydrophobic) | Fuel clear and transparent |
| Cartridge replacement | Frequent (elution effect) | Reduced (gradient interception) | Lower replacement frequency |
| Maintenance intervals | Short | Doubled | 2× interval extension |
| Fuel cleanliness | Below spec, risk of injector failure | Meets all specifications | Standards compliance |
A 40 m³/h skid-mounted system was deployed at the main oil depot for high-flow circulation purification, focusing on treating gums and impurities while synergistically removing trace free water. Mobile precision filtration units (JY-G100 or JY-H130) provide 3 μm-grade terminal closure at fueling points. Periodic monitoring of fuel acid value and gum content — rather than particle count alone — ensures sustained fuel quality. The Polymer Rigid Composite Membrane provides a pure physical purification solution that does not rely on chemical additives for the B40 era.
Stage 5 · Lessons Learned · NEW
Key Takeaways
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Surface Chemistry Over Mechanical Screening
For adhesive, extensile gums that defy mechanical screening, surface chemistry management (oleophilic-hydrophobic membrane) is the effective approach; physical repulsion addresses the low interfacial tension challenge under B40 conditions.
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Monitor Acid Value and Gum Content
Do not focus solely on particle count; periodic monitoring of fuel acid value and gum content provides early warning of oxidative degradation, enabling proactive maintenance before fuel system failures occur.
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Staged Defense Strategy
Deploy staged defense: depot-level circulation purification (40 m³/h) for storage tank cleanliness, plus mobile terminal precision filtration (3 μm) at fueling points — a layered approach ensures end-to-end fuel quality.
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Customer feedback
Jingyuan's purification system delivered immediate results. Fuel quality meets all specs, maintenance intervals doubled, and we eliminated disposable filter costs entirely.
Hard-to-Filter & Chemical
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