A Georgia biodiesel maker has installed a reactor that the system’s builder says will transesterify vegetable or animal fats in just seconds. This article from Biodiesel Magazine says World Energy in Rome, Ga., has put in the Hydro Dynamics Inc. ShockWave Power Reactor (SPR) BD 50 at the 50 million gallon a year refinery.

“Harnessing the power of cavitation, the ShockWave Power Biodiesel Reactor drives the transesterification reaction to completion in seconds,” stated Hydro Dynamics. “In true continuous or batch systems, the SPR gives biodiesel producers greater feedstock flexibility and the power to achieve consistently superior quality. The SPR can improve processes to reduce monoglycerides and reduce catalyst utilization.”

Hydro Dynamics says the ShockWave Power technology, now in its 8th year, is used widely throughout the biodiesel industry with 500 million gallons of annual reactor capacity now sold.