Biopowered - vegetable oil and biodiesel forum

Biodiesel => Biodiesel equipment => Topic started by: Rossey on April 29, 2013, 09:05:57 PM

Title: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Rossey on April 29, 2013, 09:05:57 PM
I wanna make bio diesel for my start up tank, which is only 20 litres.

I have two 20 litre clip top drums

Is it possible to make a 20 litre processor?

What heating element could I use?
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: K.H on April 29, 2013, 09:18:10 PM
A standard 11" heater will fit, heres one i made for demo purposes

(http://i316.photobucket.com/albums/mm323/KRH01/fc9c082d.jpg)
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Rotary-Motion on April 29, 2013, 09:19:45 PM
very nice kieth

 8)
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: nigelb on April 29, 2013, 09:21:06 PM
I think that Dickjotec has something similar for tutorial purposes
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Head Womble on April 29, 2013, 09:35:05 PM
I've been thinking about building a baby reactor as well, but for testing purposes.
I was talking to Julian about it only yesterday.

But I need to see how my current situation pans out.
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Tony on April 29, 2013, 09:48:48 PM
If you have a stainless 10l stockpot you could heat oil in that then pour into a 25l drum (from your local car wash - free!) then add the chemicals and shake up every now and again.

Making biodiesel can be simple.  Making good biodiesel - well, that might take a bit more - but we can definitely help you there :)
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Rotary-Motion on April 29, 2013, 09:51:44 PM
do it chug styly, kick it round the drive

 ;D
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Jamesrl on April 29, 2013, 10:45:21 PM
I have a fully functioning 30ltr 3 tank system with all the bells and whistles to boot.

It was built for demonstration purposes, it's done a few batches now.
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Dickjotec on April 29, 2013, 11:24:55 PM
Yes I have a small processor that I use to demonstrate. Works well enough. I used a kettle element, mainly as I had one. I comes apart so each piece can be handled and discussed and then be fitted and seen functioning.

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y521/dickjotec/57e5da6bfea696ac491a74e8c0009d7a_zps4a7fe041.jpg)
Dick
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Jmg on April 30, 2013, 09:37:41 AM
If you have a stainless 10l stockpot you could heat oil in that then pour into a 25l drum (from your local car wash - free!) then add the chemicals and shake up every now and again.

Making biodiesel can be simple.  Making good biodiesel - well, that might take a bit more - but we can definitely help you there :)

That's the method on YouTube, the supersized Dr pepper method. I'm tempted to do that with my leftover sludge from filtering, either that or hoard them til I finally build a processor or more likely they evolve and walk out on their own.
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Rossey on April 30, 2013, 01:52:56 PM
I like the kiss method  ;D

I've had an idea

If I use a 25lt car wash job, with some kind of element through the bottom.

Strap it to a wheel with a handle so I can spin it.

I can pour the meth in outside (I'm worried about fumes) :o

Then I can fit a tap to the lid leave it to settle upside down to drain the soap off.

Stick some water in through a fitting in the bottom and bubble it.

Straight out the bottom fitting through a sock and hey pesto.

Why you lot think?

Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: knighty on April 30, 2013, 03:16:59 PM
I wouldn't fancy sticking a heater element in a plastic 25litre drum  :o

to save yourself the hassle... is there no-one close to you who make bio, which you could swap some oil for ?

unless you just want to do it for fun/experiment/hobby... then I'd try to get one of those 10gallon metal buckets and build it inside there...

do you de-water your oil ? you could always heat your oil first, then put it in a well insulated reactor... it should stay hot enough to react ?
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Jamesrl on April 30, 2013, 03:48:54 PM
My smallest batch was 500ml and it passed a 3/27, did it on a magnetic stirrer.
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Julian on April 30, 2013, 05:03:28 PM
My smallest batch was 500ml and it passed a 3/27, did it on a magnetic stirrer.

Pah, that's nothing ... me and womble did a 40ml, single stage, ASM batch with soap feed stock at the weekend.


EDIT ... correction, just checked and it was 20ml in a 40ml tube... EDIT
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Rotary-Motion on April 30, 2013, 05:52:01 PM
i did one size of a pin head

 ;D
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Julian on April 30, 2013, 06:00:32 PM
i did one size of a pin head

I heard that too.  But I don't think we're talking about the same thing.
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Jamesrl on April 30, 2013, 06:13:20 PM
i did one size of a pin head

 ;D

Why so large, I made a complete tank full inside the eye of a needle, mind you it was a small tank.

I'm gonna try a batch on the back of a single bacteria.
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Rotary-Motion on April 30, 2013, 07:29:22 PM
im going to do all that but in a matchbox while going backwards on the m25

 ;)
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: therecklessengineer on April 30, 2013, 08:00:06 PM
This is an interesting twist on the usual "Who's biggest".
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Rossey on April 30, 2013, 08:00:46 PM
I wouldn't fancy sticking a heater element in a plastic 25litre drum  :o

to save yourself the hassle... is there no-one close to you who make bio, which you could swap some oil for ?

unless you just want to do it for fun/experiment/hobby... then I'd try to get one of those 10gallon metal buckets and build it inside there...

do you de-water your oil ? you could always heat your oil first, then put it in a well insulated reactor... it should stay hot enough to react ?

I have a new friend to make bio for me,

Just wanted something to play with

I do dewater, so i can just fill it with hot oil.

What a stirring paddle to mix it.

I could mount it through the lid on a bearing block.

And put a drain fill on the bottom to drain soap and fill with water for bubbling
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Jamesrl on April 30, 2013, 09:03:56 PM
im going to do all that but in a matchbox while going backwards on the m25

 ;)

Done that but on a high wire whilst riding uni-cycle sideways up the entire length of the M6.

When I get me new specs I'm gonna take a single triglyceride molecule, pull the glyc particles off the hydrocarbon chains and glue 3 methanol bits on with arldite.

So there.   
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Rotary-Motion on April 30, 2013, 10:37:25 PM
im going to do all that but in a matchbox while going backwards on the m25

 ;)

Done that but on a high wire whilst riding uni-cycle sideways up the entire length of the M6.

When I get me new specs I'm gonna take a single triglyceride molecule, pull the glyc particles off the hydrocarbon chains and glue 3 methanol bits on with arldite.

So there.   

all that then set fire to it, watch that sucker go... while sleeping, sipping a banana milkshake, upside down, inside out and back to front

 :o

Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Jamesrl on May 01, 2013, 12:52:59 AM
im going to do all that but in a matchbox while going backwards on the m25

 ;)

Done that but on a high wire whilst riding uni-cycle sideways up the entire length of the M6.

When I get me new specs I'm gonna take a single triglyceride molecule, pull the glyc particles off the hydrocarbon chains and glue 3 methanol bits on with arldite.

So there.   

all that then set fire to it, watch that sucker go... while sleeping, sipping a banana milkshake, upside down, inside out and back to front

 :o

Aha! caught you out now 'cause you can't sip a milk shake upside down AND inside out at the same time, well not according to the first law of thermodynamics you can't. 
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Rotary-Motion on May 01, 2013, 06:36:15 AM
some laws can be broken

 8)
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: tiamaria on May 01, 2013, 10:51:38 AM
im going to do all that but in a matchbox while going backwards on the m25

 ;)
on a unicycle
Title: Re: How small can make a processor?
Post by: Rotary-Motion on May 01, 2013, 10:04:06 PM
 ;D ;D ;D