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[lozzzzzz]

Did some more this morning.  Again its doesn't look like masses but I'm gradually thinking things through and know how I'm going to complete the processor now.  Well all except the venturi, I'll have a go at making some bits as per the wiki page and see how that goes then hopefully cast something. 

I've got the main circulation nipple welded in the top of the tank now:


I've sorted the down pipe to feed the little pressure switch that Dick kindly gave me.  I tired it in the pond....  Wow!!! that is one sensitive switch, it clicks when the pipe is just 2.5cm into the water.  That is sod all pressure, very impressive.  Still need the electrics but the end is now in sight for all the hardware of the processor. 



Put some extra bits on the condenser.  This is now pretty much ready to mount. 




And lastly I replaces the massive valve for a more reasonably sized valve to take the bio in to the settling tank. 


Dick, any chance of a visit again.  Got a couple of questions, and I can bring back the heat exchanger I didn't use too, and pay you for the other one

More to come

[Julian]

Might be guilding the lilly, but to reduce the risk of carry over from the condenser can you common the four bottom vapour pipes in some plenum arrangement, with a bottom drain for the methanol and a top out let for vapour.

That way the velocity of the vapour slows significantly allowing the entrained methanol to drop out cleanly.

[lozzzzzz]

I see your point, and its a good one.  Its taking me ages to get this ting made though so I'll put it on the list of upgrades for the future. 

[Julian]

It will most likely work fine as it is.  You could fit a tell-tail to check ...

http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Tips_and_wrinkles_1#Condenser_tell-tail

[lozzzzzz]

Yeah I quite fancy something like that only using one of these with a tank connector both top and bottom, then I can see the rate of flow from the condenser into the tub.  (Dicks idea not mine)

http://dornob.com/dual-lid-design-turns-jar-on-its-head-opens-at-both-ends/#axzz34dhLyBk0

Can't seem to find where I can get one though. 

[Julian]

I wonder why you can't find one?

I had a conversation with head womble a while back, he wanted to do a similar thing but I think it all had to do with draining glycerine.

Anyway thoughts were to do the bottle cutting trick (there are several detailed on the web) to from a tube and then clamp a couple of square flanges with gaskets either end using studding.

[Dickjotec]

Hi Lozzzz,
Should be home tomorrow pm, car boot am, give me a ring and come on down.
Dick

[lozzzzzz]

Got lots done this weekend. 



Its PP, I'm not sure if it'll tolerate the Methanol, so I've lined it up so that the methanol will dribble into the lower tank connector (which is now cone shaped) so with any luck it won't touch the PP at all. 


Mounted the condenser now too. 


And the top is looking more complete now (although the venturi is not yet a venturi). 

I'm going to cast the venturi based on about 100l/m (the pump is 300l/m) then the large ball valve can be adjusted on the top of the tank to direct more or less through the venturi. 



I know you won't like the flexi tubing, but I'll be keeping a close eye on it as time goes by. 

I'm hoping to have a good go at venturi casting this weekend and there are various electronics on their way.  I can't wait to test it

More to come

[lozzzzzz]

I've been busy:)

I made these


But before casting I wasn't happy with the way the venturi inlet was connected to the flow:


I'm sure you all agree that the flexi pipe should be changed   What really swayed it for me was a little calculation I did.  The pump can generate 3bar of pressure, that eqautes to quite a force trying to pull the flexi pipe off the metal pipe.  So I've gone with a welded joint instead. 


Then just after welding I did something really really stupid.  I dropped the aluminium cone into the steel pipe (knowing that it was near enough an interference fit, the welding will have distorted the steel, and the steel is currently red hot).  Of course it dropped into the place nicely.  Then as the steel cooled it became impossible to get it out!!

What an idiot moment!!!

Anyway after a while in the freezer it came out without too much trouble. 

Then I tweaked it and cast the venturi this morning. 


It works a treat!!!   Its a real sucker.  I did have to close the large valve on top forcing more flow through the venturi as the throat is about 11mm but it really picks up and would suck a golf ball through a garden hose

I tested the venturi sucking on some water about 1m below the venuri, it pulled 1litre through in about 15 seconds. 

This was the kaos inside:


As the photo shows I've divided the main flow into the tank into two to slow it down a little.  The pump is such a beef-cake that it is still dragging air all the way down to the bottom and drawing bubbles through the pump.  But the pump can be turned down a little with the valve on the pump. 


I then moved onto the bubbler for the settling tank.  I used a couple of car brake lines and cut little holes in them.  The pump has two outlets producing 240l/h of air (I guess this depends a little on depth).  Judging by this info and the photos, do you good folk think this is enough bubbling?


I've offset the two pipes to one side of the tank to try and set up a current to circulate the bio (water in this case) so that it all gets bubbled through.  I tested it with food dye and there does seem to be a very slow "convection" current.


More to come

[Julian]

So ... is it a spot the difference competition between these two photos?





Glad to hear the venturi turned out ok.

Very wise move in getting shot of the plastic ... should be replicated elsewhere me thinks.  Just a thought with the venturi ... if you have the suction vertical, there's less chance of fluid draining down the suction when the pump is stopped.

Is the bubbling for washing or just removing the remnants of the methanol?  Difficult to tell from a still photo, but I'd say fine for the former and probably a little low for the latter.  If you've used a long length of brake line, it may function better with a larger bore delivery line.

But looking great, keep up the good work.

[Dickjotec]

Good progress, it can't be too long now till you use it in anger?

[lozzzzzz]

Thanks guys  

Not long now Dick.  The list is ever reducing but still consists of:

Fit taps and a filter to the settling tank, then put it in place under the lean-to
Get a large water tank and put it in place under the lean-to
Put the lorry curtain on the lean-to
Fit the dosing tank with the suction pipe
Fit the timer, temp controller and relays (still got to get the relays)

And that's pretty much it     Can't wait to try it out. 


The bubbling is for demething for 24 hours? in the settling tank after processing.  Think I need more bubbles?  I could always do it for longer, or is it better to go with more bubbling while the bio is hot from the processor?

Julian,

The photo's are the same??

That's a good point with the venturi inlet.  I am a little limited for height under the lean-to and its getting rather close, but if there's room, I'll move it up. 

Thanks again

[Dickjotec]

The more bubbles the better. Lots of small bubbles are better than few big ones. The more bubbles the less time they are needed but an air pump takes relatively small amount of electric and if you organise your production there should be weeks to settle and bubble after productio before it goes into the tank. (It's hard to wait to use the first batch though!)

[lozzzzzz]

I'll get a more meaty bubbler then. 

I don't think I'm going to have too much trouble with not using the first batch Dick

I currently have two petrol cars



I still need to get a filter (and do the j-cloth thing to it).  I was thinking of plumbing it into the outlet tap from the settling tank. 

This would be fine right??

There are a few about on ebay would someone kindly point me to one that has proven to be a good-un?

Thanks

[Julian]

Thanks guys  

The photo's are the same??

That's my point ... they are in your post!