made a soapfree and glycerol free batch of bio

[alifreddy]

using my new feedstock mcdonalds oil which is a blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil.

I did a 65 litre batch added about 12 litres methanol and base amount of koh per litre.

I was surprised to see no glycerol when I opened the drainpipe.

did a 50/50 shake test and it seperated quite quickly leaving clear water and no emulsions

[alifreddy]

http://https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=299222293550201&set=a.115291161943316.16830.100003872979703&type=1&theater

[1958steveflying]

A strange result, what was the result of your 10/90 test ?

[alifreddy]

don't have any clean methanol to do one. Must titrate the oil to see what it comes out at. Had this once before with brand new oil no glycerol the water does look a little cloudy in 50/50 test

[alifreddy]

I left bio overnight in processor

[Jamesrl]

It's impossible to make biodiesel without producing glycerol.

We remove the glycerol molecules from the triglycerides and replace them with methanol molecules the glycerol then drops out.

[alifreddy]

then should I add some more methanol and catalyst

[alifreddy]

will try doing a 27/3 test that's all I can do to see if its reacted. Its probably cos I'm skimping on the methanol hat no glycerol I read that less methanol is better in reacted bio cos it holds soap

[alifreddy]

dipped the top of processor and seems very clear liquid like methanol. adding another litre and 85 gs more koh to give the batch a push to react

[therecklessengineer]

I think you are misunderstanding slightly.

Yes - in the finished bio product you want zero methanol. It seems the methanol holds the soap in solution.

However - you must add the correct amount of methanol for a reaction to take place. Skimping on it will stall the reaction - which seems to be what's happened here.

[alifreddy]

kool thanks for the advise. I'm running out of methanol so had to make a smaller batch usually make 70-75 litres. seems to be dark puddles forming in my processor now.

When heater is on

[nigelb]

Worry ye not Julianf...methanol when mixed with a catalyst and blended with oil does not boil at 65C.  Methanol as a liquid does....but not as a mixture.

However, I'm with you on asking the question..."how do you know there are dark pudles forming in the reactor"

BTW alifreddy you are not skrimping on methanol. If anything you are adding too much at 20%

[alifreddy]

tried draining and gone a more orangy colour still no glycerol after an hour and a half settling looked in top of processor saw black puddles.

When I was heating


will only tell when I put it in my van if its ok or not think in the end put about 550gs koh and 13 litres methanol to 65 litres of good oil

[Jamesrl]

tried draining and gone a more orangy colour still no glycerol after an hour and a half settling looked in top of processor saw black puddles.

Whne I was heating


will only tell when I put it in my van if its ok or not think in the end put about 550gs koh and 13 litres methanol to 65 litres of good oil

Your Koh is only just enough for NEW veg let alone used.

[nigelb]

will only tell when I put it in my van if its ok or not

There are plenty of tests to see if your bio is good enough for your van or not! Don't just stick it in.

We may only be dealing with shed science here...but it's science nonetheless.