CBA process.

[Julian]

((5.0 + 2.0) X 150) X 5 = 5250mL of methylate

is what's on the wiki page, 5 being both the base and multiplier.

[Julian]

http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Processing_with_anhydrous_sodium_methylate

[Julian]

2800 ml was achieved by the following ... (base 5 + titrated value of 2) x batch of 80 x multiplier of 5

[Head Womble]

2800 ml was achieved by the following ... (base 5 + titrated value of 2) x batch of 80 x multiplier of 5

I think the confusion is between single stage and two stage amounts.

[Jamesrl]

2800 ml was achieved by the following ... (base 5 + titrated value of 2) x batch of 80 x multiplier of 5

I think the confusion is between single stage and two stage amounts.

Forgive him for he knows not what he's doing.

[Julian]

No confusion on my part!

I haven't been doing no titration processes, I've been doing an 80/20 two stage split of a single stage.  The formula for which, off the wiki page, is above.

The difference being I've been ignoring the titration value and reducing the base which seems to have reached a minimum of around 2.75 - 3.

[Jamesrl]

No confusion on my part!

I haven't been doing no titration processes, I've been doing an 80/20 two stage split of a single stage.  The formula for which, off the wiki page, is above.

The difference being I've been ignoring the titration value and reducing the base which seems to have reached a minimum of around 2.75 - 3.

Never believe everything you read.

As ASM doesn't generate water a reduction of 1 - 1.5g/ltr on the base Number would be a good starting point BUT as we all have different oil suppliers, mixes of veg and plants we have to find the best base for our individual setups.

3 works for me atm with the veg I'm getting.

[high compression ii]

Julian--

I think I know why with the reduced ASM you had a fully clear and no drop-out result.

There wasnt enough Glyc derived, therefore the small amount that was, was insufficient to make the meth/glyc dense enough to settle. The Bio/di/mono glycerides  also present formed a Co-Solvent with the meth resulting in the clear fluid you made....

[Julian]

Julian--

I think I know why with the reduced ASM you had a fully clear and no drop-out result.

There wasnt enough Glyc derived, therefore the small amount that was, was insufficient to make the meth/glyc dense enough to settle. The Bio/di/mono glycerides  also present formed a Co-Solvent with the meth resulting in the clear fluid you made....

Whoosh ... about 50% of that went straight over my head!  Will it translate to Noddy speak?

I'm just running another batch now and I've created the same effect, but this time I've taken samples at three stages ... I'll post a photo later, see if it gives you any more of a clue.

[Jamesrl]

I'd be using 1800ml ASM made up to 22.5ltr for S1. and expect 80ish% conversion.

What are you using?

[Jamesrl]

I'm following this thread closely, I reduced my ASM to a grand total of 2.98 base for the last batch.

[Julian]

I tried taking a photo but due to a dramatic reduction in Global Warming in the Surrey area, there wasn't enough natural back light to prevent the flash going off.  For that reason the photo's not too good and the two right-hand samples look the same.

I'll have another try tomorrow in the hope that Global Warming will be back up to the levels that dictate everyone has to pay more tax.

Here's today's photo anyway ...

[Julian]

I'd be using 1800ml ASM made up to 22.5ltr for S1. and expect 80ish% conversion.

What are you using?

I'm following this thread closely, I reduced my ASM to a grand total of 2.98 base for the last batch.

I'm still rather playing at the moment.  I've lately been working around a base of 3 and ignoring any titration values, so for my 80 ltr batches 1200ml, but on the last couple of batches I've had to add additional ASM, probably because the oil may be quite a high titration.  I didn't measure the additional ASM, just used little "glugs".

Anyhow on both the last two batches a base of 3 has been too low, but I've used it as a starting point and then been guided by the various phases, colours, clarities and temperatures as to how much more ASM to add.

On today's batch I got the highest temperature rise yet, 4°C and by studying carefully I had a static temperature on the second stage for in excess of half an hour ... this on a very poorly insulted processor.

On the last two batches I've assumed that the end in the rise in temperature on the 1st stage was the reaction going as far as it would go and settled the glycerine as soon as the temperature started dropping.

Similarly today with the second stage I assumed all the time the temperature was static, the reaction was taking place. When the temperature started to drop I did a 3/27 which gave a reasonable pass.  That made the reaction time for the second stage about 20 minutes.

20-30 minutes is about the duration of the 1st stage temperature rise.

Still lots of things with which to play.

[Julian]

There you go.  Global warming is doing it's bit for photography.  Managed to get a shot of 4 samples against what little light we seem to get in a British summer these days ...




Now the samples have been sitting over night the gel has gelled a bit more and glycerine has settled.

Left to right ...

1)  Under dosed ... Gel, very thick forms skin on hot sample and drips solidify.  Almost solid after 24hrs.

2) Add a little catalyst ... batch changes colour, clarity and viscosity to biodiesel consistency, exothermic reaction is noticeable by a couple of degree temp rise.  No glycerine drop.

3)  Add still further catalyst ... batch stays thin but goes cloudy and will drop glycerine.

4)  After 2nd stage with 1st stage glycerine added back, demethed and 7% water washed.

[Head Womble]

So let me get this right (to make sure I've followed this correctly),
if we react wet/damp oil a good amount of the catalyst gets eaten up forming soap,
this can produce something like sample No1. (I know you've underdosed on catalyst but the same will apply),
Adding more catalyst will bring the reaction forward to your No2 and No3 samples,
then it's just a case of a normal second stage.

This is what I have done recently and had good results (in the reaction, not so good when washing).
So that big drum of soap that some kind person dellivered to you should be esay enough to turn into sparkling bio.