Washing

[owenevans]

I am making a biodiesel processor for a school project. I am stuck on trying to decide the best way to wash and dry my biodiesel. I am considering using mist washing and then drying it using a spray bar or bubbling air through.
But I am a bit confused on how to carry out mist washing as many websites say different things.
Please advise on the best way to wash and dry my biodiesel. I am doing 100L at a time.
I know all the chemistry behind making biodiesel and know the basics behind making it but things like when you do a mist wash does the container need to be sealed. Or when you bubble wash do you pour biodiesel on water or visa versa.
 

Just need the reccommended method on how to wash and dry biodiesel. And long do I need to mix the potassium methoxide and WVO.

[willbuild]

i am fairly new to this also, but i find the wiki section on this forum very useful

[Tony]

Sorry I don't water wash so can't answer that part of the question, but as for mixing time, the thing to do is see when you get a complete conversion using the nice simple 3/27 test detailed here:

http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/3/27_test

If you test regularly during a batch you should see its progress and whether it has stalled (not enough catalyst/methanol) or whether it completes.

Obviously once you know how long it should take, you only need to test once just to confirm all is well at the end.

[Julian]

Welcome to the wiki and forum.

If it's a school project, I'm guessing that it will be an adjunct to chemistry classes.  If this is the case, you could look at titrated acid washing ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Water_washing_titrated_acid_method  as it will add another test procedure.

Not many people seem to have persued this type of washing since it was first muted by one of our members, but I find it very effective.  If you have a GL type processor, the washing and drying can be carried out in the processor obviating the need for a separate wash tank.

Let us know how you get on and what the pupils think of the process.  I guess few, if any, of them will be driving so they may not appreciate the benefits of producing their own fuel!

[julesandtash]

I have - and am still using it.

[Julian]

We're just the knowledgeable elite, Jules!

[Head Womble]

knowledgeable elite = nutters
and we have a good number of nutters here.

[Julian]

... and we have a good number of nutters here.

Said a Womble!

[Head Womble]

... and we have a good number of nutters here.

Said a Womble!

I was counting myself as one of the nutters.