Difference between revisions of "Biodiesel process guide"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | This is a fast | + | This is a fast guide to the steps involved in making Biodiesel according to the simplest process. |
__TOC__ | __TOC__ | ||
==Dewatering== | ==Dewatering== | ||
| − | # | + | # Raise oil temp to at least 60C and allow to stand for at least one hour, over night is better |
| − | # | + | # Drop a few litres from the bottom, taking away any water that has settled |
| − | # Take a sample for titration | + | # Take a sample for titration |
# If necessary, transfer the oil to your processor | # If necessary, transfer the oil to your processor | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
# Add 10ml of IPA to a beaker | # Add 10ml of IPA to a beaker | ||
# Add a few drops of Phenalphaline or Tumeric indicator solution | # Add a few drops of Phenalphaline or Tumeric indicator solution | ||
| − | # With a syringe draw a little of your [[Titration#Reference_solution|titration solution]], and add dropwise to your beaker until your solution turns purple and stays purple for | + | # With a syringe draw a little of your [[Titration#Reference_solution|titration solution]], and add dropwise to your beaker until your solution turns purple and stays purple for approximately 30 seconds. This is known as blanking, to get the IPA to neutral pH. |
| − | # Add 1ml of | + | # Add 1ml of the oil sample drawn after dewatering and swirl - the solution will turn a yellow/white |
| − | # Fill a | + | # Fill a 10ml syringe with your [[Titration#Reference_solution|titration solution]] and add drop wise to your beaker, swirling constantly. You are trying to find the point where the solution goes and stays purple for 30 seconds. |
| − | # Work out the amount of titrant you have used. | + | # Work out the amount of titrant you have used. 1.4ml of titration solution = titration value of 1.4. Repeat this step if necessary to get an accurate value. |
| − | # Add this figure to your base. Most [[Sodium | + | # Add this figure to your base. Most [[Sodium Hydroxide]] users use a base of 5.0g/l. In this example, 1.4 + 5.0 = 6.4g/l. This figure is the amount of Sodium Hydroxide needed '''per litre of oil you are going to process''' |
# Mix this with Methanol, 22% by volume of oil to be processed. | # Mix this with Methanol, 22% by volume of oil to be processed. | ||
# Heat your oil to 55C and turn off heater (make sure your pump is on and circulating) | # Heat your oil to 55C and turn off heater (make sure your pump is on and circulating) | ||
==Process== | ==Process== | ||
| − | # Inject methoxide via | + | # Inject methoxide via venturi or suck in via pump input |
# Process - allow to mix for one hour | # Process - allow to mix for one hour | ||
| − | # Take a sample for 3/27 or 5/45 and allow to sit for 10 minutes | + | # Take a sample for the 3/27 or 5/45 conversion test and allow to sit for 10 minutes |
===5/45 test=== | ===5/45 test=== | ||
| − | # Add 45mls of | + | # Add 45mls of Methanol to a suitable container |
| − | # Add 5mls of | + | # Add 5mls of Biodiesel from the top of your settled sample |
# Tightly close the lid and shake for 10-15 seconds (for accurate results your Methanol should be at 20C) | # Tightly close the lid and shake for 10-15 seconds (for accurate results your Methanol should be at 20C) | ||
# Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes | # Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes | ||
| − | # Pass = solution | + | # Pass => transparent solution, fail => fall out/seperation of liquids (more mixing required) |
==Drain Glycerol== | ==Drain Glycerol== | ||
| − | # | + | # Turn off all pumps and settle for at least one hour |
| − | # Drain Glycerol slowly into suitable container - Glycerol is black and thick, when the lighter Biodiesel starts to flow out stop draining | + | # Drain Glycerol slowly into suitable container - Glycerol is black and thick, when the lighter Biodiesel starts to flow out stop draining |
| − | # Transfer | + | # Transfer Biodiesel to demeth and settle drum |
| − | # Air bubble over night in a well ventilated area | + | # Air bubble over night in a well ventilated area |
# Turn off the air pump and allow the soaps to settle out naturally for approximatley 1 week | # Turn off the air pump and allow the soaps to settle out naturally for approximatley 1 week | ||
==Soap test== | ==Soap test== | ||
| − | # Fill a jar | + | # Fill a clean jam jar half full with a sample of your Biodiesel and add the same amount of water # Shake well, and allow to stand for approximately five minutes |
| − | + | # Pass => water at the bottom of your sample is clear, fail => creamy water | |
| + | # Pass your fuel through at a 5 micron filter or smaller before putting into the car | ||
| − | |||
[[Category:Biodiesel]] | [[Category:Biodiesel]] | ||
Revision as of 21:00, 3 December 2010
This is a fast guide to the steps involved in making Biodiesel according to the simplest process.
Dewatering
- Raise oil temp to at least 60C and allow to stand for at least one hour, over night is better
- Drop a few litres from the bottom, taking away any water that has settled
- Take a sample for titration
- If necessary, transfer the oil to your processor
Titration
- Add 10ml of IPA to a beaker
- Add a few drops of Phenalphaline or Tumeric indicator solution
- With a syringe draw a little of your titration solution, and add dropwise to your beaker until your solution turns purple and stays purple for approximately 30 seconds. This is known as blanking, to get the IPA to neutral pH.
- Add 1ml of the oil sample drawn after dewatering and swirl - the solution will turn a yellow/white
- Fill a 10ml syringe with your titration solution and add drop wise to your beaker, swirling constantly. You are trying to find the point where the solution goes and stays purple for 30 seconds.
- Work out the amount of titrant you have used. 1.4ml of titration solution = titration value of 1.4. Repeat this step if necessary to get an accurate value.
- Add this figure to your base. Most Sodium Hydroxide users use a base of 5.0g/l. In this example, 1.4 + 5.0 = 6.4g/l. This figure is the amount of Sodium Hydroxide needed per litre of oil you are going to process
- Mix this with Methanol, 22% by volume of oil to be processed.
- Heat your oil to 55C and turn off heater (make sure your pump is on and circulating)
Process
- Inject methoxide via venturi or suck in via pump input
- Process - allow to mix for one hour
- Take a sample for the 3/27 or 5/45 conversion test and allow to sit for 10 minutes
5/45 test
- Add 45mls of Methanol to a suitable container
- Add 5mls of Biodiesel from the top of your settled sample
- Tightly close the lid and shake for 10-15 seconds (for accurate results your Methanol should be at 20C)
- Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes
- Pass => transparent solution, fail => fall out/seperation of liquids (more mixing required)
Drain Glycerol
- Turn off all pumps and settle for at least one hour
- Drain Glycerol slowly into suitable container - Glycerol is black and thick, when the lighter Biodiesel starts to flow out stop draining
- Transfer Biodiesel to demeth and settle drum
- Air bubble over night in a well ventilated area
- Turn off the air pump and allow the soaps to settle out naturally for approximatley 1 week
Soap test
- Fill a clean jam jar half full with a sample of your Biodiesel and add the same amount of water # Shake well, and allow to stand for approximately five minutes
- Pass => water at the bottom of your sample is clear, fail => creamy water
- Pass your fuel through at a 5 micron filter or smaller before putting into the car
