For a variety of reasons, biofuels derived from a wide range of raw materials, are in higher
demand. Biodiesel has several advantages over other biofuels. These include direct
substitution for fossil fuels into existing internal combustion engines, an existing distribution
network, and a relatively simple conversion technology. In the last few years, many papers
have been presented championing one technology over another; however, these papers do
not typically address the materials of construction for various components in the production
scheme. Many of the raw materials and subsequent co-products are benign to most common
materials of construction. Depending on the process scheme, certain process steps may
present much more corrosive conditions. For instance, if hydrochloric acid is used in the
glycerin loop, the choice of materials of construction is quite limited. This paper presents
data for both titanium and zirconium alloys for possible use in biodiesel production.