Appleseed processor

[Julian]

I'm trying to do a page on the Appleseed.  There's lots of conflicting info on the web but I think I've arrived at a basic design.

Chug ...

Girl Mark seemed to have originated the design and I believe there was a page on the CBT ... you didn't happen to keep a copy anywhere did you?  I can't find it in the list of pages you posted.


One strange thing is that the standard US hot water tank seems to come complete with a pressure relief valve and this appears to be retained on many versions.  In  addition there is a vent line shown on many schematics, but it's usually fitted with a valve.  Does anyone know if the Appleseed is normally run under pressure?  If it is I'd advocate adding a rider to the effect that this is considered dangerous, the PRV should not be fitted and the vent line should be un-valved.

Anyone have any knowledge on this processor or have any thoughts?  If not I'll try sticking a post on the infopop forum.

[Tony]

Hmm, curious. Surely it must be removed to stop the cylinder collapsing on cooling?

[Julian]

Perhaps that's the idea of the valve on the vent line.  When I get a chance I'll finish the diagram and post it up.  I've also got some instructions for use which I need to study a bit more, there seems to be various ways of getting oil into the processor too.

Thank god for GL is all I can say!

[Chug]

yeah I found some old appleseed stuff with lots pics, I posted them with the rest.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/chug/biodieselcommunity.org/appleseedprocessor/

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/chug/biodieselcommunity.org/appleorchard/

I believe it was GM too although I think many americans are adopting to GL style processors these days for the methanol recovery and no water wash but still utilising the old apple water heaters, never heard of anyone running one under pressure.

Mark sent me one of her processor build guides, I should still have it kicking about here somewhere, i'll have a look and see if I can suss out this valve.

[Julian]

Thanks Chug, I must have missed that in your list.

I've had a stab at a schematic so any comments welcome.

[Julian]

Just about finished I think.

Be great if someone could have a quick check please.

I really don't like this pressurisation idea at all, but that's the way it seems to work.  There must be a big out rush of vapour when V6 is opened to drain the Glycerol!

[Chug]

I've had a quick look and cannot see any mention of running under pressure, the only mention of pressure valve/vent asembly says it's opened anytime you fill or drain or add methoxide or for methanol recovery.
It says the only time you will ever build pressure is if you boiled off the methanol, GM did some tests to build up pressure and measured between 5 - 20psi

[Tony]

Page looks good!

Can't be pressurised, otherwise the sight tube would overflow, surely?

Edit: Oh I see, it vents into the processor... hmm

[Julian]

 I put a post on infopop with a link, 91 views and 2 posts and so far no one's said it's wrong.

Chug ...

Looking at it again, the system is sealed once the oil is introduced.  Upon heating it will build up a pressure which is then released before adding the methoxide.  Don't know if the reaction will generate pressure ... is that when Graham did his tests?.  Over time whilst settling the bio will cool so maybe it goes into vacuum.

I'll see if there are any more replies on infopop in a day or two and then ask some more specific questions.

[Tony]

Link to the thread:

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/919605551/m/4887056923

[Chug]

I looked again at GM's manual and cannot find anything to say it's pressurised, only the opposite,  it says the only time you will ever build pressure is if you boiled off the methanol. 

Rik had already offered help/collaboration and I see from the infopop thread that Luc has now too.

[Julian]

Chug ...

Pressurisation isn't mentioned directly, but by inference, it's here in GM's instructions on the infopop site ... http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/919605551/m/487109642  I found it elsewhere, but can't relocate the reference.

Quote ...

10. Once methoxide is all added to reactor, close the vent valve on top of reactor to avoid losing methanol to the atmosphere. Make sure the heating element is unplugged!

... Unquote

Any temperature change will result in vacuum or pressure.