Stainless steel is the material of choice for many applications in the bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas sectors as it presents a cost-efficient and reliable material solution.
The Nickel Institute has recently published the report ‘Stainless Steels: Cost-Efficient Materials for the Global Biofuels Industry’ to assist bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas producers and supporting industries like process technology providers, developers, plant designers and operators see the economic benefits from selecting the appropriate grade of stainless steel.
Stainless steel offers excellent corrosion resistance in the biofuels industry’s process conditions. It has good strength, ductility, toughness and ease of fabrication. The report shows that an increasing number of biofuels process engineering companies specify stainless steel for much of the production equipment.
For its future growth and long-term potential, the biofuels industry must develop efficient and costcompetitive process designs, based on sustainable, non-food feedstocks. Biorefineries which integrate biomass conversion processes and equipment to produce fuel, power and chemicals from biomass are seen as the most promising route to the creation of a bio based industry in many countries.”
Dr Kevin Bradley of Nickel Institute president said that “Biofuels plants are looking for cost-effectiveness, reliability, low maintenance costs and long-lasting production equipment. Stainless steel offers these attributes and more and can bring considerable value to the biofuels industry. Stainless steel is 100% recyclable which helps supports the biofuels industry's long-term sustainability concepts and goals.”
