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Biodiesel => Chemistry and process => Topic started by: Oilybloke on June 08, 2013, 04:55:13 PM

Title: Beef tallow.
Post by: Oilybloke on June 08, 2013, 04:55:13 PM

I have recently started collecting from a chippy that uses beef tallow. I have yet to process any, but wondered if anybody else has? Any pitfalls?

Title: Re: Beef tallow.
Post by: julianf on June 08, 2013, 05:39:27 PM

Ive got 300+ ltrs in the reactor at the moment, and another 400 in the preheat containers.

Its hard fat.  Palm will go to slush on a hot day - no chance with tallow - you always need to pre-heat it or dig it out of the drums.  I use a shovel, and i wouldnt waste my time in winter.

You also need to blend it in anything but proper hot weather.  Ive been running on a blend for about the past 4 weeks, but even then we had one incident with the fuel filter.


You need to watch out for pipework setting when settling.  When i rebuild my unit, ill have drains so as i can drain the whole lot down when i want to.

You also need to be very careful about the whole lot setting in the reactor.


Basically, its hassel - much more hassle than palm / prep etc.  But i get 100s of litres of it for free, so, for me, its worth the mods to the reactor / process.

Title: Re: Beef tallow.
Post by: julianf on June 08, 2013, 05:40:56 PM

ps

melting point of its methyl ester is quoted on JTF to be about 15 or 16c.  Ive found it maybe to be a couple of degrees lower (13 ish?) but, if its in your tank, you need to be watch for those night time temps too!

Title: Re: Beef tallow.
Post by: julianf on June 08, 2013, 05:41:52 PM

one last thing -

your settling drum cant fall below 13c ish either.

Title: Re: Beef tallow.
Post by: Head Womble on June 08, 2013, 07:31:39 PM

I found it also eats heater elements, I popped a couple when reacting tallow.

Title: Re: Beef tallow.
Post by: julianf on June 08, 2013, 10:05:07 PM

....and another thing -

The 90/10 test (etc) is always said to be done at 25c.  If you try doing it with a tallow brew, you need to go above this temp, else the tallow component will just go hard as soon as it hits the meth.

Title: Re: Beef tallow.
Post by: nigelb on June 08, 2013, 10:53:32 PM

Quote from: julianf on June 08, 2013, 10:05:07 PM

....and another thing -

The 90/10 test (etc) is always said to be done at 25c.  If you try doing it with a tallow brew, you need to go above this temp, else the tallow component will just go hard as soon as it hits the meth.

The 90/10 is supposed to done at 20°C not 25°C.

Title: Re: Beef tallow.
Post by: Oilybloke on June 09, 2013, 06:15:36 PM

Many thanks guys, all comments are appreciated.