Processing at ambient temperature.

[dgs]

It always seems to me that we have to put a lot of heat into the oil to get a good reaction.
Theory says that for every 10 degrees less the process takes double the time. In practise this just doesn't seem to happen.

A few years ago I did all my reactions at ambient temperature.
I stopped when I started to water wash aggressively with a compressor, realising that I was producing what I would consider a disproportionately high amount of monoglycerides. ( the emulsified layer that forms between the water and bio, it doesn't usually show when washing either by misting or bubbling)

Some 3 weeks ago, giving this problem some thought, I came up with the idea of processing at ambient, doing as many reactions as required (usually 2 ) until I had the usual 10/90 clear pass. I would then let the bio rest in the processor, complete with the glycerol from the last reaction until ready to de-meth, water wash and dry.

I then heated the contents to 55 degs and mixed for 30 mins in an attempt to convert all or most of the mono's.

So after applying the heat there was a small 'process' then the glycerol drained, transfer to wash tank, de-meth, then water wash and dry all continuously with only a small amount of heat applied between these stages.

After the last 30min wash at 50 degs I did notice a very small layer of mono's, it was very small.

As for processing times, I leave it for only 15 mins longer than normal.
The last batch I made with this process started at only 11 degs.

As for KOH requirements, the 1st batch needed a total of 3.7 gms/litre and the second (not so good oil) 4.7 gms/litre.

Both batches were glycerol pre-washed at temperature ( I am presently doing some testing to see if this can also be done at ambient)

I didn't try this to particularly save on electric, more for convenience.
I use a tam 120 (frankenpump) with a 1/2" eductor which gives a massive mix to the processor, the 1" delivery line (nylon reinforced pvc) swells by 2mms when the pump is on.

It would be interesting to hear if anyone else has tried processing at low temperatures.
Location York.


2x 2.0 HDI's both on B100.

[K.H]

Im sure Chug has processed at ambient

[Chug]

I did a couple o batches wayback after observing dr pepper tests that worked but just needed lots of shaking, don't remember anything more than it was when I was only using a washing machine pump and at around 18 -  20 degrees 150L took forever! other than that don't remember anything positive or negative about it if you are using a decent pump it will be much better, we didn't have anything like 3/27 back then as long as the glyc separated it was considered bio and it went in the motor.

[dgs]

Hi Chug, you obviously go back a lot further in the bio world than myself. I have been processing for only 6 years, wish I had started sooner. I have not known life without the 27/3.

The tam 120 certainly does the job. I am presently doing some comparitive times to see how much saving (if any) there is between processing at temperature and ambient.