Couple of questions about a processor

[greasemonkey]

I'm in the process of building a processor. I have the cone welded onto the drum, and have sorted the legs out to be attached so far.

I'm looking at a two tank system. Heating the oil with a Turk burner in the first tank, then pumping it into the processor. Maybe AAF, maybe not.

I intend to dry the oil in the first drum, with a diffuser setup.
I intend to WBD with a condenser.

Firstly, would it be practical to not have a heater element in the reactor? Would the oil stay hot enough, if it was close to boiling when it went in, to carry out the reaction, and WBD?

Secondly, it seems a diffuser aids mixing, and demething, or am I mistaken. Its crossed my mind that if the diffuser will aid demething, then surely there is methoxide being lost in the mixing process.

[julianf]

I would imagine that if you hit a load of methoxide with close to boiling (100c?) oil, it may get, umm, interesting?

[greasemonkey]

Err, yeah, cancel that. I think that was me having a short circuit. I was thinking more around 80C

[Head Womble]

You need 60 > 65 degrees for the reaction and around 80 or above for demeth, so yes, you'll need some form of heating in the reactor.

I'd go for three tanks, 1 oil store/drying tank, 2 reactor, 3 wash or settling tank.

A big pump and/or an eductor is well worth thinking about, ideally you want to turn the volume over at least twice a minuet.

[greasemonkey]

OK, so I do need a heater. Ah well ,I'll just have to do it. Leccy supply is a bit weak, so thought I might get away with it. Obviously not.

The pump I use will be the one I have, at least till I can get another one. It should be ok. I really need to get this thing going asap.

I will pump out into a storage, settling tank. I'll be flat bottomed though, at least for the time being. I ain't welding another cone on for a while.

[Head Womble]

What pump do you have ?

[greasemonkey]

This one.
http://www.thepumpco.co.uk/domestic_files/peripheral.htm

Actually, i don't think it is going to be any good, although I know some people on the VOD used them for processors, but I think two people reported problems at high temp.

I can see this going wrong.................

[Head Womble]

That's a 70lpm pump, so easily big enough for a reactor.

There's no mention of a high temp cutout, but if there is some times they can be disabled.

[greasemonkey]

Maximum temperature of pumped liquid - 15°C to +70°C
Maximum ambient temperature 40°C.

This is what I was concerned about. Guess it will be OK.

[Julian]

Maximum temperature of pumped liquid - 15°C to +70°C
Maximum ambient temperature 40°C.

This is what I was concerned about. Guess it will be OK.

My Leo is quoted as having a maximum liquid temperature of 60°C, but I regularly take it over 100­°C and it survives.

[Jamesrl]

Err, yeah, cancel that. I think that was me having a short circuit. I was thinking more around 80C

Putting methoxide into the mix at high temps make next to difference, the only methanol vapour loss is directly proportionate to the volume being used.

Adding 20ltr of meth to 100ltr of 85C WVO results in the loss of a single eggcup full down the condenser.

I will add that I've never noticed any difference in conversion times with elevated temperatures, the urban myth says you halve the time for every 10C over 55C, I say complete BS.   

[Julian]

 ... complete British Standard, eh?

[greasemonkey]

Thanks guys. I'll get there in the end.

[Jamesrl]

... complete British Standard, eh?

Of course, what else could it mean?

[photoman290]

andy you have a PM