Cue the 2001 Space Odessy music!

[Tony]

I'll have a bid on this and see if it does

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130956159009

[Tony]

Another idea.

What I could do is take the 1" bottom port and run it to a sealed container below the tank.  Any soap should surely settle into the container rather than accumulate in the tank?  The question is whether I'd trust a 25l plastic container to remain sealed through a tank fitting in the cap, and not dump the batch out onto the floor.

[greasemonkey]

Another idea.

What I could do is take the 1" bottom port and run it to a sealed container below the tank.  Any soap should surely settle into the container rather than accumulate in the tank?  The question is whether I'd trust a 25l plastic container to remain sealed through a tank fitting in the cap, and not dump the batch out onto the floor.

I say it would burst the container.

Why can't you just get in the tank with a shovel every now and again?

[Tony]

Another idea.

What I could do is take the 1" bottom port and run it to a sealed container below the tank.  Any soap should surely settle into the container rather than accumulate in the tank?  The question is whether I'd trust a 25l plastic container to remain sealed through a tank fitting in the cap, and not dump the batch out onto the floor.

I say it would burst the container.

Why can't you just get in the tank with a shovel every now and again?

The tanks measure 24" by 30" on the base and 48" tall, which would be a long way to lean down, especially if lifted off the ground on concrete blocks (though I could cut enough off the top to reduce the tank to say, 36").  It just seems a shame to cut the tank down really.

[greasemonkey]

Ah, they looked a lot bigger than that.

Could you fit a big port on it, then have some device to tilt the tank once in a while?

[Head Womble]

Tony I have a 2" valve I have no use for.

[Tony]

That's very kind of you Mark, I don't know where I'm going with this one yet so that's a useful option.  Is it a lever or gate valve?

What I'm thinking of is that if I put a takeoff point (for drywash/storage) a few inches up the side of the tank, then there is likely to be a layer of soap, with a layer of bio above it, so when draining soap the valve would need to be shut sharpish otherwise I can see a lot of bio rushing out of a 2" hole!

I'm wondering about how heat sat on top of soap will soften it, might have to experiment with existing batches in drums, poke a stick in and see how hard the soap at the bottom is (annoyingly, did a batch yesterday I could've done that with!)

I suppose you could stir the tank when hot bio is added to mix it in a bit (it'll soon settle again) but the idea of stirring hot bio with Meth fumes coming off doesn't sound wise to me at all.

[Head Womble]

It's a leaver valve, a bit stiff probably due to lack of use but should free off with a drop of oil.

[julesandtash]

Why not just have an agitation paddle in there. After a few batches of bio have settled, drain out the bio and put in 100 litres or so of hot water and switch on the paddle.

After a few hours, open the big valve and let out the very soapy water down the drain.

[Tony]

I've got no running water in the outbuilding and drains are a good 20m away.  Nothing that couldn't be cured with pumps though - like the idea in principle.