I hate ASM!

[Oilybloke]

Weird, isn't it? I have always used KOH but decided to give the ASM a try. I was amazed at how well it worked, less meth, etc., etc. But, every batch was very heavy with soaps that refuse to settle out. My last two batches have been two stage KOH, soap free, good enough to use after a couple of days settling. Must be the air over here...............

[Carrington]

Hi nick
What base amount did you use as ASM should produce less soap

Paul

[Jamesrl]

Must be Pilot error, NEVER had a soapy batch with the wonder liquid.

Nick you should be using a base of 3.5 - 4 x 5 x litres first stage and no more than 4 x 5 x litres second stage.

As a matter of interest what is/was your average titration value.

[Oilybloke]

Thanks for your replies........

I have been using these sums: http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Anhydrous_sodium_methylate#A_real_world_example

My oil is generally very good quality (mainly GM Soya), used to titrate at 2-3. I have done five batches now, always thoroughly dried, first stage giving 85-95% conversion. The last 3 batches I have not added the glyc for WBD, but demethed by bringing up to 110c and circulating overnight @ 70c., then into settling tank for 5 days. Samples taken from the top for 50/50 are soapy as hell, with HMPEs floating on top and sticking to the sides of the tanks.

[Oilybloke]

Must be Pilot error, NEVER had a soapy batch with the wonder liquid.

Nick you should be using a base of 3.5 - 4 x 5 x litres first stage and no more than 4 x 5 x litres second stage.

As a matter of interest what is/was your average titration value.

Do you think that it's because I don't have a squirrel?

[Head Womble]

No,a squirrel wont make any difference, it just makes demething quicker.

[Oilybloke]

No,a squirrel wont make any difference, it just makes demething quicker.

Thank you Mark, but I had just asked Jim about a squirrel for my new processor, so a bit of a private joke really......should have added LOL, but just can't bring myself to use text-speak!

[Jamesrl]

, but demethed by bringing up to 110c and circulating overnight @ 70c.,

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying, are you demething via a condenser? If not how do you know how much meth is left in the bio.

You're probably aware that meth in bio = suspended soap, methanol stops soap particles coalescing and dropping out.

[Julian]

I've tried three batch with AMS and had little success, I think most likely down to my process ... I'll post more later on the thread concerned.  I intend to percivere, though as I can see it has numerous advantages, even at its current price.

I believe the problems were due to water, but all the same I have a feeling the base of five, although Jules states it can be tweaked, is too high.   In playing with Dr Pepper tests and the other full size batches, despite them going wrong, I think the maximum base should be reduced to a maximum of 4 with a recommendation people try 3.5 and see how they get on.

Others seem to be using similar figures.  How does this fit in with the calculations you did, Jim?  While pondering this is it necessary to adjust your formula to account for alternative concentrations of ASM.  Most supplies here seem to be 30% at the moment, but others may happen along and anyone overseas using this catalyst may obtain different concentrations.

[nigelb]

Thanks for your replies........

I have been using these sums: http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Anhydrous_sodium_methylate#A_real_world_example

My oil is generally very good quality (mainly GM Soya), used to titrate at 2-3. I have done five batches now, always thoroughly dried, first stage giving 85-95% conversion. The last 3 batches I have not added the glyc for WBD, but demethed by bringing up to 110c and circulating overnight @ 70c., then into settling tank for 5 days. Samples taken from the top for 50/50 are soapy as hell, with HMPEs floating on top and sticking to the sides of the tanks.

Just a thought but could some of the issues be related to the elevated temps used in the demeth. How much methanol did you recover?

[Oilybloke]

, but demethed by bringing up to 110c and circulating overnight @ 70c.,

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying, are you demething via a condenser? If not how do you know how much meth is left in the bio.

You're probably aware that meth in bio = suspended soap, methanol stops soap particles coalescing and dropping out.

Yes Jim, de-mething with condenser. Some recent discussions with Nathan showed that I had not been giving enough attention to de-meth (and hence the squirrel enquiry).

[Oilybloke]

Thanks for your replies........

I have been using these sums: http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Anhydrous_sodium_methylate#A_real_world_example

My oil is generally very good quality (mainly GM Soya), used to titrate at 2-3. I have done five batches now, always thoroughly dried, first stage giving 85-95% conversion. The last 3 batches I have not added the glyc for WBD, but demethed by bringing up to 110c and circulating overnight @ 70c., then into settling tank for 5 days. Samples taken from the top for 50/50 are soapy as hell, with HMPEs floating on top and sticking to the sides of the tanks.

Just a thought but could some of the issues be related to the elevated temps used in the demeth. How much methanol did you recover?

Recovering about 8 litres from each batch (without the glyc).

[nigelb]

Is that what you would normally expect?

[Oilybloke]

Two staging with KOH using 36 litres of meth, I would recover 12-14 litres from WBD.

[1958steveflying]

Thanks for your replies........

I have been using these sums: http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Anhydrous_sodium_methylate#A_real_world_example

My oil is generally very good quality (mainly GM Soya), used to titrate at 2-3. I have done five batches now, always thoroughly dried, first stage giving 85-95% conversion. The last 3 batches I have not added the glyc for WBD, but demethed by bringing up to 110c and circulating overnight @ 70c., then into settling tank for 5 days. Samples taken from the top for 50/50 are soapy as hell, with HMPEs floating on top and sticking to the sides of the tanks.

Just a thought but could some of the issues be related to the elevated temps used in the demeth. How much methanol did you recover?

Recovering about 8 litres from each batch (without the glyc).

What batch size ? Or have I missed that !