New to the Forum and to Biodesiel Production

[dgs]

Generally the norm is to fully convert if using it in a modern common rail vehicle. If using in an older indirect injection the conversion isn't as critical.

I wouldn't hesitate to use it in either of my older vehicles.

Just on the subject of water, the spec is 500ppm. Most people don't water wash, so they assume there is no need to dry their bio. From many tests I have done this unwashed/undried bio is around 600ppm. My bio some 8 years ago was washed but not dried properly and was around 800ppm water. (I only realised this after getting my testing equipment)

Most samples I test are over the 500ppm limit ( hence my results on your sample being questionable)

To my knowledge no one has ever had any obvious problems using bio that is over spec on water. ( just to qualify this, biodiesel will hold dissolved water up to around 900/1000ppm depending on temperature. It is always this dissolved water we are referring to when talking about water tests, not free or suspended water)

[Mark2256]

Thank you for the reply Dave,

If other people did not water wash thier Biodiesel then how did they get the soap out, I water washed my test batch 7 times then dried in a 10 Litre pan over a low heat mixing about every 10 minuets I did this until I could not see any steam coming of the Biodiesel approx temp 55deg C and took about 50 minuets, So your water test could be right.

Any suggestions on completing the conversion process for the remaining 2.2 litres I have?

Mark

[dgs]

Hi Mark, there are various ways to dry wash, however it is best to start by getting rid of the methanol usually by bubbling with an aquarium bubbler for an extended period. The soaps and glycerine will then fall to the tank bottom and can be run off.

To reduce the soap further to below the spec of 66ppm one of the most common ways is to filter through hardwood shavings (oak is good)

You would have to re-process your remaining 2.2 litres to achieve full conversion, to make sure you convert it fully let's use a base of 8gms (I realise you have nearly 100% KOH so your base is actually 7.0)

0.7mls dropout = 7%, so 7% of 2.2 = 154mls of unconverted oil, so at 8gms/litre thats 1.23 gms KOH. Dissolve this in  about 30 mls of methanol and re-process.

Remember you will have to go all through the wash/dry process again.

[Mark2256]

Thank You Dave

I will do that tomorrow.

Mark

[Mark2256]

Reprocessed the veg oil yesterday and has now been left for about 20 hours to stand, now showing a very small amount of Glyserol on the bottom. So will leave overnight again to see if the amount increases.

Mark

[Mark2256]

Hi All I have just purchased this Biodiesel Reactor of Ebay for £50.00 I could not build one for this.

[Chug]

Did you get everything in the picture? if so great deal, I can't see the pump, what pump has it got?

[dgs]

Well done Mark, great deal.

[Mark2256]

Hi All Thank You for the replies. Yes it is every thing in the picture but do not know what pump it has. Unfortunately I can not collect until Monday. So will let you know more once I have it.

Regards

Mark

[Mark2256]

Hi All

I have now finnished reprocessing my first batch water wash got abot 1.25 litres  of soap again, Water washed until the wash water was crystal clear. Then dried over low heat to steam of water stirring every 10 minuets. Dave can I send another sample please for testing.

I am also about to start processing some Sunflower Oil I have dried and filtered this oil but have noticed that it is much thicker than the veg oil I have just completed. Do I need to make any adjustments for the thicker oil please?

Collecting Processor this Sunday so will update you on the pump type.

Kind Regards

Mark

[dgs]

Hi Mark, just send a sample when you wish. You shouldn't have to make any adjustments for the different viscosity of the oil. Just remember that the titration will be different so it will need a different amount of KOH. Better still, do a 2 stage process and use the result of the dropout after stage 1 to calculate your chemicals for stage 2.

[Mark2256]

Hi Dave

I have started processing next batch using 2 stage process. It is 3.6ltrs of sunflower oil split across 2 x 2ltr containers. I used the non-tritation calculator in the tools menu to work out the methoxide mix 300mls methanol and 8grams KOH for 1.6ltrs batch and 200mls methanol and 8grams KOH for 1.5ltr batch. These are at room temp, has been standing over night, I checked them this morning and I appear to have the Austrialian effect. Namely the Glyserol has risen to the top. Could this becaused by contaminated Methanol?

Kind Regards

Mark

[dgs]

I think I know what has happened here. Lets take the 1.6 litre batch, you have used about 19% methanol but only 5gms/litre of KOH (probably about half the amount you will need to fully convert bearing in mind your oil will have a titration, although unknown)

Because of this chemical imbalance the glycerol created will be so methanol rich it will not exceed the s/gravity of the bio/oil mixture, it therefore floats on top.

If I were you I would re-process using another 5gms of KOH in just enough methanol to dissolve it. Leave the glycerol in there and re mix.

You say the 2x batches were 1.5 and 1.6 litres but you used 3.6 litres of oil?

Cheers, Dave.

[Mark2256]

Hi Dave

Thank you for the reply. A typing error should be 3.1 litres total 1 batch 1.5ltrs 2nd batch 1.6ltrs will reprocess 1.6ltr batch with 30mltrs Methanol and 5grams KOH tomorrow.

Cheers Mark

[Mark2256]

Hi Dave

Yes that worked now have Glyserol at the bottom one for me to remember. Thank You

Cheers Mark