my processor design - opinions please

[Rossey]

[Julian]

1) ... "Oil in" will be poured in under gravity without the pump running I assume.  Consider using the methoxide inlet for sucking oil in using the pump (obviously you'll need some oil in there to start with or consider adding a self priming pump).

2) ... An additional valve between the sight glass and the meths in would mean you can use the sight glass whilst filling the processor using the pump.

3) ... Consider having the end of the sight glass open to atmosphere with a funnel sitting in the top ... this arrangement is invaluable for returning samples etc to the processor whilst it's running.

4) ... Is the settling tank outside?  If so it doesn't really need to be as sealed as it appears to be and you could do away with the fan, just bubble to atmosphere with the lid removed.

5) ... Again if it's outside, don't worry about the sight glass.  You won't die by lifting the lid and peeping inside!

6) ... If you do fit the sight glass to the settling barrel, make the bottom connection a way off the bottom of the barrel, usually the soap sets solid and will block the connection.

7) ... Similarly, the soap drain probably won't work as it will become blocked.

8.) ...  Again, the bio outlet from the barrel wants to be at leas a foot off the bottom.  That way you can collect soap and only clean the barrel out periodically and the bio left in the bottom ensures that you're not drawing any sediment out.

9) ... Where "A" enters the settling barrel, consider a filter sock or similar inside the barrel.  Not to filter, but to prevent the incoming bio stirring up what's settled.

10) ... Extra expense and hassle, but seriously consider fitting a venturi, vapour circuit and condenser.

11) ... How are you intending to dry the oil?  Simply heating and settling often isn't sufficient.


Hope that all makes sense!

[Rossey]

1) ... "Oil in" will be poured in under gravity without the pump running I assume.  Consider using the methoxide inlet for sucking oil in using the pump (obviously you'll need some oil in there to start with or consider adding a self priming pump).

2) ... An additional valve between the sight glass and the meths in would mean you can use the sight glass whilst filling the processor using the pump.

3) ... Consider having the end of the sight glass open to atmosphere with a funnel sitting in the top ... this arrangement is invaluable for returning samples etc to the processor whilst it's running.

4) ... Is the settling tank outside?  If so it doesn't really need to be as sealed as it appears to be and you could do away with the fan, just bubble to atmosphere with the lid removed.

5) ... Again if it's outside, don't worry about the sight glass.  You won't die by lifting the lid and peeping inside!

6) ... If you do fit the sight glass to the settling barrel, make the bottom connection a way off the bottom of the barrel, usually the soap sets solid and will block the connection.

7) ... Similarly, the soap drain probably won't work as it will become blocked.

8.) ...  Again, the bio outlet from the barrel wants to be at leas a foot off the bottom.  That way you can collect soap and only clean the barrel out periodically and the bio left in the bottom ensures that you're not drawing any sediment out.

9) ... Where "A" enters the settling barrel, consider a filter sock or similar inside the barrel.  Not to filter, but to prevent the incoming bio stirring up what's settled.

10) ... Extra expense and hassle, but seriously consider fitting a venturi, vapour circuit and condenser.

11) ... How are you intending to dry the oil?  Simply heating and settling often isn't sufficient.


Hope that all makes sense!

1) Oil in is pumped from my dewatering tank using its pump,

2) no need as pump not running,

3) I wondered why i had seen it like that before,

4) I just need to be extemely careful with meth fumes as im allergic to alcohol,

5) because of above,

6) ok

7) ok

ok

9) thats a good idea

10) cant use condenser have no access to water, dont understand a venturi that well, whats a vapour circuit -vents?

11) I dewater by heating to 110c and pumping over a soup ladle for a few hours.

[Rotary-Motion]

i may have some site tube spare too

[photoman290]

if you aren't going to use a condenser why not try acid cracking and water washing.? you don't need a lot of water. a cubie or 2 will do it so i am told. julesandtash is using that method very successfully apparently. well he hasn't said he has had any problems with it. you could fill up a couple of cubies with water at the local tax station. that is the route i am going down,as i have water access problems as well. plus i am on batteries and a generator so not worth while demething.

[Rossey]

if you aren't going to use a condenser why not try acid cracking and water washing.? you don't need a lot of water. a cubie or 2 will do it so i am told. julesandtash is using that method very successfully apparently. well he hasn't said he has had any problems with it. you could fill up a couple of cubies with water at the local tax station. that is the route i am going down,as i have water access problems as well. plus i am on batteries and a generator so not worth while demething.

Greasemonkey came up with a good idea of using a car radiator as a condensor.
so im gonna do that and bubble wash as you dont need that much water.

never thought of the free water at the tax station brilliant idea.

[greasemonkey]

I don't know if it will work yet, although I have read it will. I'm just going to have a port at the top of the reactor, straight into the rad, and straight out the bottom. It'll act as the vent for the reactor too.

[Rossey]

i may have some site tube spare too

Cheers chap Im in no hurry at the mo

but i'll give you  a shout if i need it.

[Rossey]

I don't know if it will work yet, although I have read it will. I'm just going to have a port at the top of the reactor, straight into the rad, and straight out the bottom. It'll act as the vent for the reactor too.

Ive had a read and cant find any issues with it, just good reports ive found a rad off a laguna diesel so should be big enough, just need a fan.

How are you going to power the fan
A battery with a charger attached.

[photoman290]

I don't know if it will work yet, although I have read it will. I'm just going to have a port at the top of the reactor, straight into the rad, and straight out the bottom. It'll act as the vent for the reactor too.

if the radiator idea doesn't work i can sort you out my old condenser when i get back at the end of the month.

[greasemonkey]

I don't know if it will work yet, although I have read it will. I'm just going to have a port at the top of the reactor, straight into the rad, and straight out the bottom. It'll act as the vent for the reactor too.

Ive had a read and cant find any issues with it, just good reports ive found a rad off a laguna diesel so should be big enough, just need a fan.

How are you going to power the fan
A battery with a charger attached.

If you fail to get a rad and fan, gimme a shout and I'll try and scavenge one and bring it to the BBB. A few of my mates are breaking cars flat out. By that time, I should know if it works or not..............

To start with, I was just going to power it with a battery charger. The thermometers I'm looking at will need 12v, so I might end up fitting a 12v supply.

The only thing I'm not sure about is if the fan blows the air into the rad, or sucks it through. I should know, but I don't.
I'd be  a little bit wary of sucking potential meth fumes through the rad and into the motor, although it would take an inverse miracle for the fumes to ignite, i think. No problem any way, I'll just turn the fan blades around if I need to.

Obviously the bigger the rad the better, I would imagine, but I think a rad off a petrol should be more efficient than a rad off a same sized diesel, because a petrol generates more heat, so needs to disperse more. Thats what I think anyway, I might be wrong.

[greasemonkey]

I don't know if it will work yet, although I have read it will. I'm just going to have a port at the top of the reactor, straight into the rad, and straight out the bottom. It'll act as the vent for the reactor too.

if the radiator idea doesn't work i can sort you out my old condenser when i get back at the end of the month.

Cheers Bob, see how it goes.

[Head Womble]

You may be able to use a household desktop fan, as this will be nice and easy being 240V.
The amount of heat needing to be dispensed is far lower than any engine so if the air flow is reduced it shouldn't matter.

[Rotary-Motion]

i wonder if a peltier would work well for this job of cooling? there interesting bits of kit, larggely used on PC CPU's to cool i believe...

they can get to ice cold and/or biol if wires reversed, can also be used to generate power if 1 side heated and 1 side cooled...

one like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-50mm-230W-Thermoelectric-Peltier-Cooler-12VDC-TEC-/310117657888

[greasemonkey]

Well waddya know. Reverse the polarity on the rad fan motor, and it spins the other way. No need to mess with the fan. Dunno would they all be like that, but this one is. Whoopee, if only every thing else was so simple.