Biopowered - vegetable oil and biodiesel forum

Biodiesel => Chemistry and process => Topic started by: Tony on May 08, 2013, 03:48:31 PM

Title: Methanol to prevent in-tank glycerol precipitation?
Post by: Tony on May 08, 2013, 03:48:31 PM

Many of us have seen red goo in filers etc after a lot of bio has been through, even well washed or settled bio.

I was wondering if, after settling/washing and only leaving a trace amount of soap (say 30ppm) that it might be sensible to add a small amount of methanol to prevent that remaining amount dropping out.

But then you're into the questionable realm of road duty on the methanol "additive".  But what is the difference between biodiesel that isn't properly demethed and biodiesel that is completely demethed but with a trace of methanol added back?

Presumably at low concentrations it won't do any harm to Aluminium components?

Is glycerol soluble in petrol in the same way that it is soluble in methanol?

Title: Re: Methanol to prevent in-tank glycerol precipitation?
Post by: K.H on May 08, 2013, 06:39:44 PM

If you have a problem with it wouldn't it be better to centrifuge it?, then you can catch any HMPE,s as well

Title: Re: Methanol to prevent in-tank glycerol precipitation?
Post by: Tony on May 09, 2013, 10:02:05 AM

I suppose the other risk with Methanol is getting an in-tank reaction of some sort if trace catalyst is present?