No titration Acid Wash

[Adamski]

I've been using the two stage no titration method for a while now with good results.
I've also been following the acid wash threads with interest. I have never water washed before, just demeth and settle, with a 5% prewash beforehand. This usually gives crystal clear bio made from KOH in about 48hrs of settling. Downside of this it leaves me with wet glyc.

So this afternoon I will be having a go at the acid wash method. As I enjoy not having to titrate any more to produce thebio I don't really want to have to titrate to acid wash either.

So my process will be.

180L of oil, processed to a good pass.
Drop Glyc.
Add 1L of vinegar, mix for 30 mins, keep adding 500ml of vinegar until a 50/50 test shows good separation?
Not sure if I can expect to achieve clear water until the wash has been completed with water?
Settle 30 mins. Drop vinegar
Introduce 20L of water, mix 30 mins.
Settle 3hrs(probably be overnight)
Drain water
Keep washing with 10 to 20L of water until water is clear?

A few questions...
What temperature should the wash be done at?
Have I got the quantities of water for the washes right?
How long should  I settle the water for before draining? I've read that if not careful the drained water can contain quite a lot of bio?

[Carrington]

Hi mr ski
You sould be fine with this process , everyone has their own way of going about the ATWW but it's all about the same.
You've listed everything you need so go for , just keep a eye on the drain water from about half the volume you put in and as long as you haven't tried to drop it to soon you shouldn't loose much bio.
When I was water washing I would decant into a barrel with s tap on the bottom so I could always then drain the barrel from the bottom and save bio that floats to the top

[Adamski]

Right, I've added 2 Litres of malt vinegar, washed with eductor on for 30 mins, done a 50/50 test.
The water is very milky but the test separated quickly tho. Is this ok?
Should I proceed and let the vinegar settle, drain and then add water wash?

[Carrington]

For ease of finishing I would put more vinegar in until the 50/50 is clear'ish
This way your just washing and salt and debris from the bio and not tying to remove any de solved catylist

[Adamski]

I didn't add any more vinegar, just pump washed with about 27L of water.
Took a sample a few minutes after the last of the water went in. It split in 30 mins ok, dirty looking water  at bottom, then a creamy layer, then orange juice bio on top.

It was too cold and late to do any more, so just ran the wash for 30mins, stopped and let settle.
Won't get chance to drain the water for a day or too.

If the processor temp drops below 20c will I have to reheat?
(Maybe to get venturi to work?)

I may add another bottle of vinegar to next wash. Will there be any benefit in doing so?

What's the creamy layer? Mono and di's? FFA's?

[1958steveflying]

I didn't add any more vinegar, just pump washed with about 27L of water.
Took a sample a few minutes after the last of the water went in. It split in 30 mins ok, dirty looking water  at bottom, then a creamy layer, then orange juice bio on top.

It was too cold and late to do any more, so just ran the wash for 30mins, stopped and let settle.
Won't get chance to drain the water for a day or too.

If the processor temp drops below 20c will I have to reheat?
(Maybe to get venturi to work?)

I may add another bottle of vinegar to next wash. Will there be any benefit in doing so?

What's the creamy layer? Mono and di's? FFA's?

No point adding more vinegar, as soon as you add water you create the soap.