Wiki page for glycerol logs

[Julian]

I think it helps if the Glycerol has had a few weeks to soak into the sawdust.

[julesandtash]

I melt all of my solid stuff and strain through a sieve before putting in the mixer which avoids the issue with balls of glyc.
Here are some pics of mine:

Logs before burning - one is a carpet tube, one is a wine box cut in half, two are toilet roll tubes (make good firelighters actually) and one is the box from some gift tags


Here are a couple burning on the log burner


My dog benefitting from the warmth - you can see the flames in the burner


And a glycerol log (carpet tube variety) keeping us warm at the Cornish BBB

[chariot]

I have a supply of palm oil mix, which solidifies under 18-20C. This provides a lot more heat output than glycerol, but needs a higher temperature to burn cleanly. I make up various mixes of oil and glycerol logs from 80/20 to 20/80 which once marked can then be chosen according to the weather. Our only heat source is the woodburner until I plumb in a rudimentary ch and dhw system which runs off solar thermal tubes and an old heating boiler in the shed and/or a garden furnace with a Baxi heat exchanger sat in it.

It's very useful to be able to choose a selsction of 'logs' according to the temperature or how hot we want to be on any particular evening.

[Head Womble]

.  I used to have a cement mixer ... didn't I Mark? ... so I could use that to mix.

Ok, Ok, I'll get it back to you soon as.

[Julian]

.  I used to have a cement mixer ... didn't I Mark? ... so I could use that to mix.

Ok, Ok, I'll get it back to you soon as.

Only mucking about ... when do you think you'll get the last bit of concreting done?

[Head Womble]

I'm not sure mate, I have a big list of jobs and it's on there somewhere, but it keeps getting moved down.
What I've got left to do can be done by hand so I'll get the mixer back to you.

I'd hate to be the reason why you can't finish your extention.

[Julian]

Don't you start!

[Julian]

I've updated the Glycerol page to mention soap making, composting and Glogs.  T avoid an opphen link I started the Glycerol logs page here ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Glycerine_logs&action=submit  with my photos as place markers.

Jules, delete my photos as you see fit.  To get yours to operate in wiki format you'll need to upload them to the wiki here ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Special:Upload (hope I'm not teaching Granny to suck eggs!)

[julesandtash]

I've done some work on the Glycerol logs page - it is in no way finished but it's getting there.

[Julian]

Looking good, could do with a read through (Ha, there's me saying that!) once it's all together.

Might be worth mentioning that use on open fires should be avoided and to be aware of any Methanol fumes that may emanate from the Glycerin.

I've just lobbed no a couple of logs I made at the beginning of the summer from 7% wash glycerin and, having sat for the summer, don't seem to burn too badly.  Not as well at the non wash, but OK.

[julesandtash]

I have mentioned about Methanol fumes if using non demethed glyc.

I dont see that I can say dont use them on open fires though when I did just that for a year or so - I had no dramas with leaking glyc and no problems with fumes.

I think that providing there was a decent fire burning the vast amount of air going up through the chimney drew any fumes with it. A smouldering fire would be a different matter of course.

I have had the wood burner going since 2pm today and burned 10 logs.
I didn't use any wood or fire lighters at all. Just some screwed up paper, then small toilet roll tube logs then, once it as burning, onto the big logs.

[Julian]

Sorry, only skipped through, I must have missed the fumes bit.

I think we should steer people in the right/safest direction, if not for their sake, then ours.  Even if we don't always pratice what we preach.

Just about to try draining glycerin directly into sawdust ... my working space in the shed is down to around 2 x 3 foot, so it's going to be fun.

[julesandtash]

Here you go, it was under the Mixing section....

Whatever method is used, it should be remembered that the 'Glycerine' from biodiesel processing contains a number of potentially harmful chemicals and should not really be handled without gloves. If the Glycerine has not had the Methanol removed, there is the added risk of Methanol vapour being given off, therefore mixing should be carried out in a well ventilated space (ideally outside).

I take your point about recommending best practice. I will get something in about the risks of using them on open fires, Chimneas etc.

Good luck with tonights efforts in the shed - take care.

[Julian]

I've just tried some glycerol and saw dust compressed into a shallow cat foot tin.  Burns ok once up to temperature, but over the last half hour it's erupted, lava like to double its original volume!

[Keef]

I've just tried some glycerol and saw dust compressed into a shallow cat foot tin.

Where on earth do you buy tinned cat's feet?