In processor titrated water wash method

[db]

I've been following this with interest, as i've always bubbled and settled. I'm gonna give it a go, just a couple of questions:

Titration fluid using vinegar - do I mix 1ml to 1L of water and does it need to be de ionised?

Is every wash cycle a GENTLE mix (ie no eductor) for 20 mins?

Is the amount of water always around 7% of the batch volume / wash?

Once the water is clear I plan to dewater via my condensor, then transfer and bubble for a few hrs.

Does this sound like a plan?

Dawson

[Head Womble]

Keep in mind that you'll use quite a bit of vinegar,
if you can go for something stronger.

I used tap water, but I did wonder if I should have used de ionised.

I pump for 1hr with the eductor running, no need to worry as you'll not make an emulsion.

I use about 15% on the first wash and as much as I can fit in for the second.

I also dry with the condenser, but bubble over night just to be sure,
you will find the bio holds more water than normall washing.

Let us know how you get on.

[william crosby]

I have been getting good results using 2ltr vinegar on a 180ltr batch don't bother titrating as its been working fine and the car has been running fine .Not checked the ph for acidity.


By the way what should the ph of bio.

thanks

[db]

I tried to titrate today with not much sucess. I made a titration fluid up of 1ml/litre of  vinegar/distilled water.

After adding about 50ml and no colour change (still blue, using 50ml IPA and blue indicator from NigeB's soap kit) I decided something was wrong!

Can I use neat vinegar to titrate with?

Also regarding William's post above - can you overdose on vinegar if you just toss it in regardless?

Dawson

[william crosby]

if using vinegar you will have to use neat for titration solution no good watering it down.i think the only real thing putting to much in is the cost but i get it from cosco for 2.00 inc vat for 5ltrs so not that much oit of pocket if to much used.

[Carrington]

If you are using vinegar then the easy way is to add maybe 1/2 L and mix then do a 50/50 water test . If the water is cloudy then add another 1/2L , do this until the settled water is clear (ish ) then you know your ready to go onto the water wash.
With vinegar I think it would be hard to overdose , the excess will be washed out with the water wash

Paul

[william crosby]

paul

what shoud biodiesel ph test figures be.

william

[Carrington]

Hi William
It's very hard to test the ph of bio but if you do a 50/50 water test the water should be around 7 ish

Hope this helps

Paul

[db]

If you are using vinegar then the easy way is to add maybe 1/2 L and mix then do a 50/50 water test . If the water is cloudy then add another 1/2L , do this until the settled water is clear (ish ) then you know your ready to go onto the water wash.
With vinegar I think it would be hard to overdose , the excess will be washed out with the water wash

Paul

Thanks. So I add the vineagar to the bio without adding water, then when 50/50 clearish I can start to add water?

Can this be done at ambient temp. or do I need to heat?

Dawson

[Carrington]

Hi Dawson
Yes you can do this at ambient temp

[nathanrobo]

If you are using vinegar then the easy way is to add maybe 1/2 L and mix then do a 50/50 water test . If the water is cloudy then add another 1/2L , do this until the settled water is clear (ish ) then you know your ready to go onto the water wash.
With vinegar I think it would be hard to overdose , the excess will be washed out with the water wash

Paul

Thanks. So I add the vineagar to the bio without adding water, then when 50/50 clearish I can start to add water?

Can this be done at ambient temp. or do I need to heat?

Dawson

I've been using this method, so have others and it works very well!  The last batch was pump washed to a crystal clear 50/50 (very aggressive shakeup) using just three bucket of water.  It seems less fiddly than doing a soap test.

[db]

Ok guys, I've added 1.5 ltrs vinegar and a 50/50 looks good. Just one more question..

Do I let the vinegar settle then drain, THEN add the water

or

Just add the water straight away?

Sorry for basic questions but i want to do it right.

dawson

[Head Womble]

If you are using vinegar then the easy way is to add maybe 1/2 L and mix then do a 50/50 water test . If the water is cloudy then add another 1/2L , do this until the settled water is clear (ish ) then you know your ready to go onto the water wash.
With vinegar I think it would be hard to overdose , the excess will be washed out with the water wash

Paul

Thanks. So I add the vineagar to the bio without adding water, then when 50/50 clearish I can start to add water?

Can this be done at ambient temp. or do I need to heat?

Dawson

I've been using this method, so have others and it works very well!  The last batch was pump washed to a crystal clear 50/50 (very aggressive shakeup) using just three bucket of water.  It seems less fiddly than doing a soap test.

50/50  tests are less fiddly but don't tell the hole story,
it's only recently that I have started soap testing and it's quite shocking how much soap can still be in bio that shows a clear 50/50.

[Head Womble]

Ok guys, I've added 1.5 ltrs vinegar and a 50/50 looks good. Just one more question..

Do I let the vinegar settle then drain, THEN add the water

or

Just add the water straight away?

Sorry for basic questions but i want to do it right.

dawson

Add the water now with the vinegar still pressent.

[db]

I'm on my 6th wash now. I'm adding 10 L water at a time to 75L bio. I knew this batch would be soapy due to running out of sodium and wanting to use up the potassium I still have. I used a whopping 1Kg to convert this batch (usually only around 400g)!!

Can't wait to try the ASM - I hate Koh!!

Dawson