Biopowered - vegetable oil and biodiesel forum
Biodiesel => Chemistry and process => Topic started by: Bio-boy on August 07, 2015, 06:15:40 PM
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Firstly I would like to thank Dave for his support and taking the time to test a sample from my most recent batch.
Needless to say I am more than happy with the results of the testing. The exact test equipment can be confirmed by Dave as I am not 100% sure on the equipment used. However, I can confirm than a Sandy Brae was used to complete the water testing.
Not wishing to delay proceedings the results are as follows:
Soap content:- 10ppm
Water content:- 225ppm
Both of which far exceed the requirements of EN14214. The only thing I could do with testing is for any residual glycerol/methanol.
However, I am extremely chuffed with todays findings.
Once again thanks Dave.
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Just a confirmation of Bio Boy's results as posted above.
As I said to him in my PM, other than samples sent by DavidS and my own (we both use turbo dryers) this sample from BB is the lowest I have ever tested. In fact the result worried me so I immediately tested one of my own samples which was from a batch that is being settled.(not yet dried so expected water level 6 to 700ppm) The result was 600ppm, so I'm pretty sure the Sandy Brae is working accurately.
Soap test was by the usual titration with 0.01N HCL
As I mentioned to BB it would be nice to test one of his samples before passing it through the filter that is supposed to absorb water ( I assume you used this BB) just to see what this filter was doing.
But anyway a really good result. Well done Rob.
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Dave, this sample was completed using 2x spray bars plus an additional feed used when carrying out the processing. I have yet to install a Coalescer but that was going to be my next addition to my plant. However, I'm now debating following these results if the additional outlay would be either needed or necessary.
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Judging by your above results I wouldn't bother.
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Nice results.
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Since playing with the humidity sensors, I've been wondering just what effect moisture absorption from the atmosphere has on bio samples.
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Nice results.
It is when you have 575L of the stuff! ;)
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This is where the magic happens.
Purpose built shed with roof top ventilation.
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2 12"x1"spray bars plus an additional 1.5" feed into my reactor at 55 deg for 2 hours all assisted via an extraction fan and ducting.
I run the pump for hour prior to adding the extraction to remove any potential methanol vapours. I appreciate that my processor will not be to everyone tastes but hey ho, such is life. I'm more than happy with the results.
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Since playing with the humidity sensors, I've been wondering just what effect moisture absorption from the atmosphere has on bio samples.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean Julian.
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i collect it, take the chips out and put it in....... :-\
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Since playing with the humidity sensors, I've been wondering just what effect moisture absorption from the atmosphere has on bio samples.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean Julian.
If you leave a very dry a sample open to the atmosphere, I strongly suspect that it will absorb ambient moisture.
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Since playing with the humidity sensors, I've been wondering just what effect moisture absorption from the atmosphere has on bio samples.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean Julian.
If you leave a very dry a sample open to the atmosphere, I strongly suspect that it will absorb ambient moisture.
I have read somewhere that Biodiesel is in fact hydroscopic and therefore will absorb ambient moisture if left exposed to the atmosphere.
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With you now julian, I was thinking deeper into it. Something like I thought you were suggesting the absorbed water was somehow chemically changing the bio.
Bio Boy, yes it absorbs a lot of water if left open to the atmosphere. In my semi open top storage I found it was absorbing anything up to 100ppm/ week. Which is why I don't leave it in there anymore.
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No, not deep ... I don't do deep!
I guess the rate depends on ambient humidity and the relative dryness of the bio. Very dry bio might initially absorb atmospheric moisture at quite a fast rate, possibly a logarithmic curve.
I was wondering if this will have an effect on any tests done with humidity sensors.
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I'm sure it will have.
I am on with drying a batch presently with a humidity sensor with the little lcd display. The sensor is sat above the extraction fan on the turbo dryer. I am trying to see if there is a correlation between the readout and the bio water content as it dries.
With this same batch I am doing soap tests before and after centrifuging. I will report the results once completed.
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... with a humidity sensor with the little lcd display. ...
So you've got the Arduino working then?
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I wish I had julian.
It's one of these I have bought.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-LCD-Mini-Thermometer-Hygrometer-Temperature-Humidity-Meter-Probe-Sensor-/201381927806?hash=item2ee34c5b7e
I'm sure this type won't work in bio but it is to see if it can detect when the air above the bio is dry (ish) so we can relate it to the water ppm in the bio. I've nearly finished the drying, 1 hour to go till it gets down to @ 50degs and it's reading 26% RH. At the 1/2 way mark the bio water was 210ppm.
My friend in the next village has been using this method for a couple of years, he brings his bio samples to me for testing (although he has a manometer) and strangely enough he has found that 26% RH on the sensor means his bio is dry enough.
Will post the full results tomorrow plus the soap tests.
Just realised it's not exactly like the ones in the link, it has temp plus RH.
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Just realised it's not exactly like the ones in the link, it has temp plus RH.
I thought that when I looked at the link ... that's a very misleading advert, those are just thermometers. But I think I know the type you mean.
So what's the latest on the Arduino?
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There's this £6.90 inc. post from the UK delivered in three days ...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arduino-Compatible-UNO-R3-V3-0-USB-CABLE-ATMEGA328-ATMEGA16U2-Robotic-UK-01052-/321404721059?hash=item4ad536d7a3
Or a genuine one from UK stock delivered in 3 days for £16.98 inc. post ...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Official-Arduino-UNO-Rev3-R3-328-ATMEGA328P-Board-with-Free-USB-Cable-/181730325442?hash=item2a4ff8b3c2
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You tell me which one.
I was reluctant to order another one from China after the empty package.
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Try the cheap one. What we're asking it to do isn't particularly taxing!
Let me know once it arrives.
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Will Do, Thanks.
Sensor was like this one;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-LCD-Digital-Incubator-Egg-Hatching-Sensor-Humidity-Hygrometer-Meter-UK-/121455838818?hash=item1c47550662
Ordered the arduino.
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Bio Boy,
Just looked at your old post, it was the Cimtek Hydrosorb filter I meant in my posts where I said did you also pass your bio through that.
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Will Do, Thanks.
Sensor was like this one;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-LCD-Digital-Incubator-Egg-Hatching-Sensor-Humidity-Hygrometer-Meter-UK-/121455838818?hash=item1c47550662
Ordered the arduino.
Hmmm, the spec is all about temperature and nothing about humidity ... wonder just accurate it is!
I think you'll be working on a whole new playing field once you get the Arduino board.
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Bio Boy,
Just looked at your old post, it was the Cimtek Hydrosorb filter I meant in my posts where I said did you also pass your bio through that.
Nope. Passed via the spray bars and a 5 micron filter only. I gave up with the biotek filter when I was informed that it would be very limited in its ability to remove water despite its claims.