Biopowered - vegetable oil and biodiesel forum

Biodiesel => Chemistry and process => Topic started by: dgs on May 21, 2019, 08:18:37 PM

Title: Question
Post by: dgs on May 21, 2019, 08:18:37 PM
This subject recently came up on Rossey's facebook page and it is something I have asked myself before.

Is there any difference in the final bio colour between Sodium and Potassium?

if anyone knows please reply (it will save me doing a test) Maybe Chug could remember any oid posts on infopop, could have been something 'Neutral" did in the past.
Title: Re: Question
Post by: Dickjotec on May 21, 2019, 08:43:59 PM
I process with sodium and can send a pic of the colour if that helps.
Title: Re: Question
Post by: dgs on May 21, 2019, 09:48:32 PM
I process with sodium and can send a pic of the colour if that helps.


Hi Dickjotec, thanks but to do a comparative test you would have to use the same oil for a separate process with sodium and potassium. (I probably didn't explain myself properly in the original post)
Title: Re: Question
Post by: Dickjotec on May 22, 2019, 09:10:24 AM
Yes, see what you mean I hadn’t thought of that.
Title: Re: Question
Post by: nigelb on May 22, 2019, 02:14:55 PM
Not really sure why the colour of the bio should have any relevance.
From a personal point of view it's the colour of the raw oil that'll have the most direct influence on the finished fuel.
Title: Re: Question
Post by: dgs on May 22, 2019, 03:59:46 PM
Yes and Yes Nige. Just that someone on the facebook group has recently changed to K from Na and he thinks his bio is darker using the same oil.

I'm just surprised that none of the 'older hands ' on here know the answer. It surely is a question that has been asked before?
Title: Re: Question
Post by: Chug on May 22, 2019, 09:24:43 PM
I haven't come across this one before, but as its only the catalyst I wouldn't expect it to be affecting the colour, but who knows?
it needs someone with both chems to do a couple of Dr Pepper batches with the same oil.
Title: Re: Question
Post by: nigelb on May 22, 2019, 09:49:10 PM
Maybe something to cook up at the BBB?
Title: Re: Question
Post by: Julian on May 22, 2019, 11:44:56 PM
I'm happy with any colour … just so long as it doesn't form an emulsion whilst washing.