Biopowered - vegetable oil and biodiesel forum

Biodiesel => Chemistry and process => Topic started by: Keef on December 17, 2020, 12:09:23 PM

Title: Unwanted reaction
Post by: Keef on December 17, 2020, 12:09:23 PM

I collected 50 litres of oil from a nursing home and it was in unlidded surface cleaner concentrate containers (which had highly corrosive warning labels) so I tipped the lot into a 60 litre barrel and took it away.
The next day, I opened the barrel to find the whole lot had turned to a milky white substance with no visable oil at all.
Is it possible that the remains of the surface cleaner has turned the oil into soap?
If so, is there anyway back or is it a write off?
Ps. I don't make bio so I've no access to processing equipment.

Title: Re: Unwanted reaction
Post by: Julian on December 17, 2020, 02:46:14 PM

It maybe an emulsion.  Try all the normal things on a sample ... heat, salt, acid.

Title: Re: Unwanted reaction
Post by: WesleyB on December 18, 2020, 08:21:37 PM

I made potassium soap once . Afterwards I put maybe 1/2 gram of the soap into a metal tablespoon added vinegar (5% acetic acid) Heated the spoon with a cigarette lighter .  Potassium acetate (water soluble ) formed and free fatty acids formed bouyant on the liquid's surface . This is a handy dandy qualitative test to see if you have sodium or potassium soap .  It's inexpensive also .  Making soap out of 50 litres of oil would take a lot of sodium or potassium hydroxide . The surface cleaner might be a detergent and water .

Title: Re: Unwanted reaction
Post by: Keef on December 19, 2020, 12:08:51 PM

Thanks guys, I'll have a proper read of the cleaner ingredients and a play with heat/salt/vineger after Christmas and see if I can establish what I've actually got.

Title: Re: Unwanted reaction
Post by: nigelb on December 19, 2020, 10:02:22 PM

Personally...I'd take the oil back and say its contaminated with the cleaning solution that was in the tin.  I'd say the transfer note supplied is for waste veg oil not waste oil and cleaning solution. If they complain...fuck them off. They wont do it again.

Title: Re: Unwanted reaction
Post by: Julian on December 19, 2020, 11:10:43 PM

Quote from: nigelb on December 19, 2020, 10:02:22 PM

Personally...I'd take the oil back and say its contaminated with the cleaning solution that was in the tin.  I'd say the transfer note supplied is for waste veg oil not waste oil and cleaning solution. If they complain...fuck them off. They wont do it again.

Yeah ... and cross them off your Christmas card list too.

Title: Re: Unwanted reaction
Post by: nigelb on December 20, 2020, 12:23:30 AM

A bit harsh Julian...christmas is for all of mankind!!

Title: Re: Unwanted reaction
Post by: Julian on December 20, 2020, 12:49:00 PM

Not according to Boris ... he's just cancelled ours!