Biopowered - vegetable oil and biodiesel forum

General => Chatter => Topic started by: Head Womble on May 23, 2013, 11:27:49 PM

Title: Plant relocation
Post by: Head Womble on May 23, 2013, 11:27:49 PM
Due to my recent problems I've had to move my bio plant,
so yesterday it was all loaded up on a trailer and today I've been plumbing it up,
tomorrow is the wiring.

I have the use of a 14 x 8 metal shed, with three phase power if needed.

The down side is a 20 mile round trip every time I need to do something, so I'll have to be more organised in the future.
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Tony on May 23, 2013, 11:30:47 PM
Presumably the best thing to do would be to skip time and energy consuming demething, and just make a whole load of biodiesel batches at once and bubble them all off to atmosphere?  Not particularly nice to vent Methanol but given the circumstances...
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Head Womble on May 23, 2013, 11:36:29 PM
I've not demethed for some time now, well since starting to water wash.
I may have to have one batch dewatering while another is reacting and another washing, so three batches on the go at one time.

It's a good job I've got a bit of oil stashed away.
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: julianf on May 24, 2013, 07:27:06 AM
Whilst we were living in the rented place last year, my plant was 1.5hrs drive away (which was better than nothing!)

I found the most tedious bit was waiting for it to heat up - i dont know how you have been heating, but i think it may be worth considering beefing up the heater some?
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Head Womble on May 24, 2013, 09:42:26 PM
Thought I'd post up some photos, we all like photos.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/mark405td/001-3_zps6c02581c.jpg) (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/mark405td/media/001-3_zps6c02581c.jpg.html)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/mark405td/002-1_zpsbc286a66.jpg) (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/mark405td/media/002-1_zpsbc286a66.jpg.html)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/mark405td/004-1_zpsa508b9e0.jpg) (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/mark405td/media/004-1_zpsa508b9e0.jpg.html)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/mark405td/005-1_zps1369b7cd.jpg) (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/mark405td/media/005-1_zps1369b7cd.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Julian on May 24, 2013, 10:14:25 PM
My bloody Lino's filthy already and you haven't even produced any bio yet!
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: K.H on May 24, 2013, 10:15:03 PM
Doesn't it take up more room lid on its side like that?
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: nigelb on May 24, 2013, 10:27:35 PM
 You've got your whole set up 90° out...It'll never work like that
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Head Womble on May 24, 2013, 10:33:41 PM
Julian, it may be dirty but at least it's been used.

You lot may jest but I've found a new angle on bio production.
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Rotary-Motion on May 24, 2013, 10:34:51 PM
this before or after?
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Head Womble on May 24, 2013, 10:41:25 PM
this before or after?

Before or after what ?
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Rotary-Motion on May 24, 2013, 10:42:53 PM
this before or after?

Before or after what ?

plant relocation

pics @ 90
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Head Womble on May 24, 2013, 10:47:03 PM
After.

I've found a few leaks that were hiding under the insulation, so I need to get them sealed before I insulate it,
and all the electrics will be redone once my mate sees it and freaks out (it all works but is "probably" not up to code).
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: knighty on May 24, 2013, 10:49:02 PM
keep an eye on ebay for a 3 phase imersian heater, they go cheap on there (most of them are bloody expensive new)

just make sure you have enough oil flow to move the heat around ;)
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Rotary-Motion on May 24, 2013, 10:49:49 PM
looking good, glad you know whats going on in there hehe, i just love pipes lol

 8)
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Head Womble on May 24, 2013, 11:05:24 PM
keep an eye on ebay for a 3 phase imersian heater, they go cheap on there (most of them are bloody expensive new)

just make sure you have enough oil flow to move the heat around ;)

Now that's a good idea.
What size boss do they use?
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: knighty on May 25, 2013, 12:19:53 PM
some are different... but you can get ones that fit in the normal sized hole (2 1/4 inch or whatever it is?)

or you could just wire up 3 single phase immersions in delta...

(a positive to each immersion, then join all3 negative connections together - they'll work at 3kw each, drawing 3kw from each positive connection. but you don;t need a negative connection - saving needing a 9kw cable)
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Tony on May 25, 2013, 03:48:32 PM
That's star configuration that is, delta is when they're wired into a triangle with each phase at a point of the triangle.

If it's 415V three phase then star is the way to go as above, if it's 230V three phase (uncommon in this country but produced by some inverters) then delta is the way.
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: knighty on May 25, 2013, 07:38:33 PM
oops yes, star not delta!  I described it right but named it wrong... in the middle of posting I checked ebay for one for you and it confuddled me


it'll be mains 3 phase so 415v phase to phase
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Head Womble on May 25, 2013, 08:58:36 PM
Yes it's 415v three phase that I have at the workshop.

I'll ask the guy what's the best way forward is, I know we can get power out to the shed it's if it's cost effective.
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Rossey on May 25, 2013, 09:52:16 PM
What's the blue pump do?
It draws from above the heater and just goes back in the top.
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Head Womble on May 25, 2013, 10:14:48 PM
What's the blue pump do?
It draws from above the heater and just goes back in the top.

That's my small rodent.
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Head Womble on May 25, 2013, 10:28:12 PM
A rapid evaporation device AKA red squirrel.

It sprays bio into the head space and the sudden drop in pressure releases the methanol.

However due to not demething anymore and needing the pump for other things it will be removed soon. 
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: terryecosse on May 26, 2013, 06:18:43 PM
Why not make 800 litres at one go, I have an 800 litre tank, no pump, but it was a processor,free if you can get it down to you. Terry
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Head Womble on May 26, 2013, 10:05:35 PM
Why not make 800 litres at one go, I have an 800 litre tank, no pump, but it was a processor,free if you can get it down to you. Terry

Nice thought, but I have been asked to keep my batch sizes as they are, one of the conditions of getting the space.
I've also got to keep it clean, which will be a challenge for me.
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Julian on May 26, 2013, 11:44:30 PM

I've also got to keep it clean, which will be a challenge for me.

Laugh .... I nearly used a smiley!
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: thewormman on May 27, 2013, 01:19:29 PM
May I ask why you have to relocate Mark? or is it personal?
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: Head Womble on May 27, 2013, 09:12:56 PM
May I ask why you have to relocate Mark? or is it personal?

The housing association took a dim view of my activities, it was either stop production at home or get evicted.
So I moved my setup.
Title: Re: Plant relocation
Post by: thewormman on May 27, 2013, 09:28:17 PM
Bummer bloody people with nothing better to do hope it all goes well