Author Topic: anyone willing to sell KOH or know supplier that will ship internationally? (Read 2822 times)

weibull · « **on:** February 06, 2014, 07:01:10 PM »

I would really like to start making some biodiesel (I live in Norway), but right now KOH seems to be a showstopper. I have found a few suppliers of the stuff here, but they are unwilling to sell when I`m not representing a company. Does anyone here know of a Company that would ship internationally (already spent a good amount of time looking without success

)? Or would anyone on this forum be willing to sell and ship a few kg`s?
Norwegian`s can be a bit too thirsty for their own good, and methanol sale to private individuals is not really allowed. I suspect authorities think people might drink it as ethanol, but I managed to get hold of a small quantity anyway. But no biodiesel without the KOH



therecklessengineer · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2014, 07:06:00 PM »

I doubt that - methanol is highly toxic. Just a small quantity is enough to kill you.

Have you tried sourcing Caustic Soda, or Anhydrous Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)? It's more common than KOH. I've always used it - never bothered with KOH, although now I'm using Sodium Methoxide.

weibull · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2014, 07:29:11 PM »

I`m afraid suppliers of NaOH would be the same as those supplying the KOH. I understand that in UK it could seem a bit... exotic, but there has been incidents where methanol has been sold on the black market as ethanol, causing deaths. Tax on ethanol is brutal (small can of beer in the supermarket is 2,4-4£)

kamaangir · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2014, 08:00:04 PM »

Try buying some off ebay, maybe small quantity to begin with.

Jamesrl · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2014, 08:18:54 PM »

Look for Drain cleaner in a building supplies, read the label, it should be Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) that'll do as a catalyst.

weibull · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2014, 08:26:34 PM »

kamaangir, good tip! So far it seems some of the vendors on ebay ship this internationally.

Jamesrl, I`m afraid the drain cleaners has a good amount of additional constituents, and I am a bit reluctant to trust these for a stable production

Jamesrl · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2014, 08:30:38 PM »

Quote from: weibull on February 06, 2014, 08:26:34 PM

kamaangir, good tip! So far it seems some of the vendors on ebay ship this internationally.

Jamesrl, I`m afraid the drain cleaners has a good amount of additional constituents, and I am a bit reluctant to trust these for a stable production

Mmmmmm, over here drain cleaner is 98% Sodium Hydroxide, I've used it in emergencies a few times and it works very well.

weibull · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2014, 08:53:31 PM »

I believe the drain cleaners I have seen contains a lot of aluminium. Can`t recall the other constituents, but suspect the suppliers are adding stuff in order to be able to market it as less corrosive on plumbing and furniture/sinks. I`m sure an experienced brewer can allow himself to be more flexible but, for now atleast, a rigid, controlled regime is the way I want to go.

julianf · « **Reply #8 on:** February 06, 2014, 09:27:18 PM »

I will, im afraid, disappoint you -

When using waste as a feedstock, there is no "rigid control regime" - you have to adjust for factors as you go.

One more adjustment may be the least of your worries! : )

weibull · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2014, 09:32:45 PM »

Completely agree with that, and will therefore be using "new" rapeseed oil

To begin with.

Oilybloke · « **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2014, 04:00:18 PM »

I use these.............http://www.brenntag.co.uk/en/index.html. Good luck!

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anyone willing to sell KOH or know supplier that will ship internationally?