Biopowered - vegetable oil and biodiesel forum
General => Wiki and forum discussion => Topic started by: julesandtash on September 17, 2012, 09:20:21 PM
-
Hi all,
There seems to be an increase in discussion on glycerol logs recently on VOD, Maybe that is due to the onset of winter.
Anyway, I was thinking of writing a Wiki page on them with a few photos.
Do people think this is a good plan and which category should I list it under?
-
Good idea,i would say list it under "finishing" as bar soap is in there already,i might have some pics of a log maker i made if they are of any use?
-
Glog page is a great idea, Jules.
We have a Glycerol page in the chemicals section which mentions disposal and we also have soap making in the finishing section. I think the Glycerol page could do with amending to mention soap making and Glycerol logs with appropriate links.
Personally I don't think we want too many sections, but what are peoples views on having a Miscellaneous section as a sort of catchall for this and other pages that are difficult to home.
I can do you some pics of logs in carpet tubes, and one of my recently and beautifully installed log burner in full flame!
-
Miscellaneous sounds like a good idea,i intend doing a page on that melting stick,so that would be a good place to put it.
That log burner,has it got a building around it? or is it just sat out in the open?
-
With remarks like that I'm tempted to suggest where you can put your melting stick, however as it's a piece of equipment I think the "Processors and equipment" section would be considerably less painful.
-
God, I amaze myself some times ... there we go, a new category, "Miscellaneous," created and soap making move into it.
-
Careful you don't dislocate something patting yourself on the back
-
Sounds like a good idea to me. max.print was over yesterday explaining about how to get them to burn properly and an interesting technique for mixing sawdust and glyc in bulk :)
-
Sounds like a good idea to me. max.print was over yesterday explaining about how to get them to burn properly and an interesting technique for mixing sawdust and glyc in bulk :)
Either ...
And I'm not going to share it with anyone.
Or ...
And this is the method he described ...
Some of us are Glog novices and need all the info we can get!
-
Well, I wouldn't want to steal his thunder so I'll leave it for him to divulge the details *nudge nudge eh max.print*? :)
"Glog" I like that!
-
It's not my idea and I'm sure you must have seen it on the VOD Julian ..... Mix it in a cement mixer then store the fairly dry mix in an old dustbin and make up the glogs (I like that too) as you need them.
The trick for getting it to burn cleanly seems to be getting your fire good and hot before you shove on the first glog.
We're going to experiment this year with just putting the mix into bags (is that a glag?)
Oh, nearly forgot ;D
-
Oh, a little disappointed! I was expecting some new revelation in making Glogs. I used to have a cement mixer ... didn't I Mark? ... so I could use that to mix.
I've got a cunning plan for making logs, the machine for which I've yet to construct. If it works, I'll share the idea.
-
Got some photos for you, Jules. This is fairly heavily soaked, course hardwood shavings in a length of carpet core.
This is at about 10 mins ...
(http://www.biopowered.co.uk/w/images/8/86/Glog_at_circa_10_mins.JPG)
and the same log at about 30 mins ...
(http://www.biopowered.co.uk/w/images/5/5e/Glog_at_circa_30_mins.JPG)
I had to take the photos with the door open because The flash reflected on the glass window. You can see how just the gasses from the the log are burning. With the door closed the gas spreads the width of the burner and combusts in the secondary air.
It makes one hell of a difference using Glycerol that has no 7% water wash it it!
-
When I've tried burning glyc + sawdust I've always had it leak out of the bottom of whatever it's burning in. This looks pretty clean. I'm beginning to think I mixed my glyc logs up too rich.
-
That can also be caused by poor mixing especially if you're using solid glyc. If you don't mix it really well you can end up with pockets of pure glyc (which can be as big as a cricket ball) which melt out when on the fire. Ideally, getting your glyc liquid before you satrt is the way to go.
-
I think it helps if the Glycerol has had a few weeks to soak into the sawdust.
-
I melt all of my solid stuff and strain through a sieve before putting in the mixer which avoids the issue with balls of glyc.
Here are some pics of mine:
Logs before burning - one is a carpet tube, one is a wine box cut in half, two are toilet roll tubes (make good firelighters actually) and one is the box from some gift tags
(http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr79/julesandtash/Woodburner/SAM_2406.jpg)
Here are a couple burning on the log burner
(http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr79/julesandtash/Woodburner/SAM_2412.jpg)
My dog benefitting from the warmth - you can see the flames in the burner
(http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr79/julesandtash/Woodburner/SAM_2415.jpg)
And a glycerol log (carpet tube variety) keeping us warm at the Cornish BBB
(http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr79/julesandtash/Cornish%20BBB%202012/SAM_0005.jpg)
-
I have a supply of palm oil mix, which solidifies under 18-20C. This provides a lot more heat output than glycerol, but needs a higher temperature to burn cleanly. I make up various mixes of oil and glycerol logs from 80/20 to 20/80 which once marked can then be chosen according to the weather. Our only heat source is the woodburner until I plumb in a rudimentary ch and dhw system which runs off solar thermal tubes and an old heating boiler in the shed and/or a garden furnace with a Baxi heat exchanger sat in it.
It's very useful to be able to choose a selsction of 'logs' according to the temperature or how hot we want to be on any particular evening.
-
. I used to have a cement mixer ... didn't I Mark? ... so I could use that to mix.
Ok, Ok, I'll get it back to you soon as.
-
. I used to have a cement mixer ... didn't I Mark? ... so I could use that to mix.
Ok, Ok, I'll get it back to you soon as.
Only mucking about ... when do you think you'll get the last bit of concreting done?
-
I'm not sure mate, I have a big list of jobs and it's on there somewhere, but it keeps getting moved down.
What I've got left to do can be done by hand so I'll get the mixer back to you.
I'd hate to be the reason why you can't finish your extention.
-
Don't you start!
-
I've updated the Glycerol page to mention soap making, composting and Glogs. T avoid an opphen link I started the Glycerol logs page here ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Glycerine_logs&action=submit with my photos as place markers.
Jules, delete my photos as you see fit. To get yours to operate in wiki format you'll need to upload them to the wiki here ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Special:Upload (hope I'm not teaching Granny to suck eggs!)
-
I've done some work on the Glycerol logs page - it is in no way finished but it's getting there.
-
Looking good, could do with a read through (Ha, there's me saying that!) once it's all together.
Might be worth mentioning that use on open fires should be avoided and to be aware of any Methanol fumes that may emanate from the Glycerin.
I've just lobbed no a couple of logs I made at the beginning of the summer from 7% wash glycerin and, having sat for the summer, don't seem to burn too badly. Not as well at the non wash, but OK.
-
I have mentioned about Methanol fumes if using non demethed glyc.
I dont see that I can say dont use them on open fires though when I did just that for a year or so - I had no dramas with leaking glyc and no problems with fumes.
I think that providing there was a decent fire burning the vast amount of air going up through the chimney drew any fumes with it. A smouldering fire would be a different matter of course.
I have had the wood burner going since 2pm today and burned 10 logs.
I didn't use any wood or fire lighters at all. Just some screwed up paper, then small toilet roll tube logs then, once it as burning, onto the big logs.
-
Sorry, only skipped through, I must have missed the fumes bit.
I think we should steer people in the right/safest direction, if not for their sake, then ours. Even if we don't always pratice what we preach.
Just about to try draining glycerin directly into sawdust ... my working space in the shed is down to around 2 x 3 foot, so it's going to be fun.
-
Here you go, it was under the Mixing section....
Whatever method is used, it should be remembered that the 'Glycerine' from biodiesel processing contains a number of potentially harmful chemicals and should not really be handled without gloves. If the Glycerine has not had the Methanol removed, there is the added risk of Methanol vapour being given off, therefore mixing should be carried out in a well ventilated space (ideally outside).
I take your point about recommending best practice. I will get something in about the risks of using them on open fires, Chimneas etc.
Good luck with tonights efforts in the shed - take care.
-
I've just tried some glycerol and saw dust compressed into a shallow cat foot tin. Burns ok once up to temperature, but over the last half hour it's erupted, lava like to double its original volume!
-
I've just tried some glycerol and saw dust compressed into a shallow cat foot tin.
Where on earth do you buy tinned cat's feet?
-
I've just tried some glycerol and saw dust compressed into a shallow cat foot tin.
Where on earth do you buy tinned cat's feet?
When you're saving for a new set of valves sometimes you've got to make certain sacrifices.
-
Look, dhe t ant dhe d are quide close dogedher on dhe keyboart, so when you're as dick as me you somedimes make misdakes, OK?
-
Grandpa's been at the rum again
-
Grandpa's been at the rum again
Dick as me? that says it all
-
Good work on keeping the page up to date, nice pictures!
Now, lets see if I can find any takers :)
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/free-glycerine-to-make-glycerine-logs-glogs-for-woodburner-free-heat/1007795289
-
Good work on keeping the page up to date, nice pictures!
Now, lets see if I can find any takers :)
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/free-glycerine-to-make-glycerine-logs-glogs-for-woodburner-free-heat/1007795289
Might have luck on freecycle with a similar add.
-
Oh yeah freecycle, good plan.
-
When I've tried burning glyc + sawdust I've always had it leak out of the bottom of whatever it's burning in. This looks pretty clean. I'm beginning to think I mixed my glyc logs up too rich.
Youve got to remember that the glyc will go liquid again on the fire. So, if your dust is not fine and / or wont wick / absorb the liquid, its going to go somewhere.
When i started, i got all sorts of scary stuff dripping out the bottom. I changed to much finer dust and became less enthusiastic about the amount of glyc i could get rid of, and all was fine.
-
Jules ...
Photos as promised
(http://www.biopowered.co.uk/w/images/b/b5/Glog_-_compacting.JPG)
Could make a note about removing the plastic spout.
(http://www.biopowered.co.uk/w/images/a/aa/Glog_-_tetra-pak_taped.JPG)
I find taping the packs closed reduces the likelyhood of gunk dropping while carrying through the house. Similarly I often wrap carpet cores in newspaper for the same reason.
Use as you see fit.
-
Thankyou, have you uploaded them to the Wiki or can I access directly from here?
What do you think of the Glogs page now, I was quite pleased with my efforts.
I want to add a picture of the ash left after a fire for the final paragraph and possibly a picture of some stacked up round logs for the storage section
-
They are uploaded to the wiki ... look at "Recent changes" or "Special pages", "Gallery of new files" or right click, properties for file name.
Page is looking great, well done. Photos make a page so much more interesting.
New additions sound really good.
-
Your pics are on the Wiki page now. I have a nice fire going at the moment. Hopefully in the morning there will be lots of ash for me to take a photo of and upload
-
Just had a read and I think it's excellent.
A good addition might be ... when burning tree logs and when cooking oil is over heated.
I took the liberty of correcting Tetra Pak a couple of times ... there's no c in it.
-
If you Google Glycerine logs, your page comes up top slot ... must be doing something right!
-
You can call me the SEO King from here if you wish :)
-
You can call me the SEO King from here if you wish :)
I can't imagine there's too much competition for something that has no profit and is a right royal pain in the backside to make.
-
If you google Glycerol logs, this thread appears on the first page of results... though not the top link ;)
-
Not too bad for an amateur then?
-
You can call me the SEO King from here if you wish :)
Not too bad for an amateur then?
Jim's popped in this evening ... you could ask to borrow his trumpet.
-
You can call me the SEO King from here if you wish :)
Not too bad for an amateur then?
Jim's popped in this evening ... you could ask to borrow his trumpet.
Noooooo, please tell me the trumpet has stayed over at VOD ! !
-
You will be proud to know that I am not trumpet authorised.
I am just in the process of uploading some pictures of the ash for a glyc logs fire to complete the page though