CBA process.

[Julian]

I don't seem to be able to get as low as Jim, but then I've had some pretty grotty oil of late.  I use all my reclaimed methanol from the previous batch which works out to be about 30% of the methanol for the new batch.

I'm currently using a sort of suck it and see method using the "phases" that seem to occur which are detailed earlier in this thread.  I use a low dose to start circa base of 3 or a little more and ignore the titration. This usually generates a "gel".  I then add small amounts of ASM in a little methanol (I have tried neat ASM in bio but it can solidify) until the "phases" change and the process temperature rises.  Processing for about ˝hr after that or until the process temperature drops, which ever is the longer, appears to give a very nearly complete reaction.  Second stage need only be about ˝ the normal amount for a second stage to get a good 3/27 pass.

After a 7% water wash soap levels seem to be very low as, last batch, I only need 20ml of sulfuric to neutralise 80 ltrs of bio.

[Jamesrl]

I don't seem to be able to get as low as Jim, but then I've had some pretty grotty oil of late.  I use all my reclaimed methanol from the previous batch which works out to be about 30% of the methanol for the new batch.

I forgot to mention that the methoxide on stage one was injected via the venturi at 80+C due to an oversight on my part (forgot the heater was on).

[Julian]

He, he.  I've done that while waiting for glycerin to settle ... took me ages to work out what was going on!

[Head Womble]

With low soap levels you should be able to drop the acid wash completely,
give it a go, you can always add some acid if it doesn't work for you.

[Julian]

With low soap levels you should be able to drop the acid wash completely,
give it a go, you can always add some acid if it doesn't work for you.

Hmm, that's a thought butadding acid is a good insurance policy!

[Head Womble]

With low soap levels you should be able to drop the acid wash completely,
give it a go, you can always add some acid if it doesn't work for you.

Hmm, that's a thought butadding acid is a good insurance policy!

Insurance yes,
but my last couple of batches using ASM only needed two or three washes,
and I was using more catalyst than you.

[Julian]

With low soap levels you should be able to drop the acid wash completely,
give it a go, you can always add some acid if it doesn't work for you.

Hmm, that's a thought butadding acid is a good insurance policy!

Insurance yes,
but my last couple of batches using ASM only needed two or three washes,
and I was using more catalyst than you.

Depending on what you count as a wash, that's pretty much all I'm doing ... 7% water wash with all the glycerin (while I'm not making logs, and acid wash and one straight water).  Batch I did yesterday only required 12ml, but I'd still rather stick the acid in than run the risk of an emulsion.

BTW ... Had a bash at melting your soap with a tosser tube today (after I'd spent ˝hr cleaning all the gunge off the lid if the barrel).  It only took a little heat from a tosser tube and a bit of stirring to get it to a point where the Mono will pump half the barrel into the processor.

[Head Womble]

BTW ... Had a bash at melting your soap with a tosser tube today (after I'd spent ˝hr cleaning all the gunge off the lid if the barrel).  It only took a little heat from a tosser tube and a bit of stirring to get it to a point where the Mono will pump half the barrel into the processor.

Lets hope it doesn't set sold in the pipes.