3 September 2008
The EDAG global group, an engineering and design organisation headquartered in Germany, has been playing a key role in Australia in the development of the BioCube. Internationally, EDAG, which has 5400 employees, had a sales turnover of more than 650 million Euros (A$1.13 billion) in 2007.
Its subsidiary, EDAG Australia, is a major defence contractor and plays a leading role as a supplier to Australia's automotive and aerospace industries.
The company has been the primary design consultant to the Biofuel Partnership Limited, from the initial concept phase through to the current detailed design phase.
An EDAG executive in Australia said that he was confident that the biodiesel to be produced by the BioCube will be "high-grade international standard".
EDAG is responsible for the design, engineering and manufacture of the BioCube prototype, leading into its full production. Its mechanical and project engineers have defined the environmental, functional, structural and operational specifications of the BioCube in order to ensure compliance with a broad range of operational requirements.
They include its ability to:
- withstand conditions from tropical (hot and humid) to dry/arid locations
- protect against catalyst and fuel spillage
- produce 2000 litres of biodiesel per 12 hour day from the base model (designs are in hand for a model with double this capacity within the same frame)
- transport four units inside a 20 ft. container
- be transported by ship, helicopter or truck
- be fully enclosed and lockable)
- ensure all components satisfy chemical compatibility.
EDAG has developed a test plan to certify the BioCube's design robustness. It will first be conducted on a sub-system/component level (over a range of feed stocks and operating conditions) then validated on a full system level.
The BioCube uses a variety of feedstocks that are non-crop feedstocks; that are not part of a community's food chain.
Furthermore, some of the by-products of the BioCube, such as glycerine and mulch, can be recycled or used as additional income sources.
For more information about EDAG please visit www.edag.com.au.