Difference between revisions of "Importance of venting a processor"

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[[File:NigelBs_venturi_cores3.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Pipe fitting venturi body and aluminium cores. By NigelB]]
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The Dr. Pepper method is so called because it was first carried out in an empty pop bottle previously containing that beverage, and the name’s stuck!
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==Introduction==
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It is imperative that all biodiesel processors be vented safely to atmosphere via an un-valved pipe.  All the processor designs shown on this wiki are vented. 
  
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A vent will not mitigate an explosion.  The generation of gas in an explosion is far too rapid for the vent to cope. 
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The vent is designed to allow air to be displaced when filling with oil, adding [[methoxide]] or to be entrained into the processor when pumping out finished biodiesel.  It will also allow the contents to safely expand and contract when heating and cooling.
  
  
  
  
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==Simple vents==
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[[File:Appleseed processor schematic with vent.png|250px|thumb|right|Vented path direct from processor tank shown in red.]]
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On a processor without [[methanol]] recovery i.e. no vapour circuit, the vent can be a simple small bore pipe with no valves from the ullage space of the processor, leading outside and terminating safely as far away from human contact as possible. 
  
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On the [[Processor - Appleseed|Appleseed processor]], right, there is an additional vent which incorporates a relief valve which would operate in the event of the main vent becoming blocked.
  
  
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This is a very simple way of producing a small quantity of Biodiesel where the whole process is visible and provides what is probably the best available demonstration of the process.  For this reason it’s used by experienced home brewers to trail different oils or to replicate condition in problem batches.  Most importantly it’s probably the best starting point for anyone new to home Biodiesel production.
 
  
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For the novice, a few successful Dr. Pepper batches instils confidence, demonstrates the exact process without the need for special equipment and offers a good grounding in the basics of Biodiesel production.  To keep the process simple this page will detail a Dr. Pepper batch using new cooking oil.  This will enable the process to be completed without the complication of titration.
 
  
  
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==Safety==
 
  
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Making Biodiesel involves a '''few''' hazardous chemicals.  If treated with respect these chemicals can be handled safely by the novice provided a few simple guidelines are followed.  There are an increasing number of chemicals being used in home Biodiesel production and all can be employed in the Dr. Pepper method, however as this page is aimed at the novice, we will stick to the least onerous and most widely available.
 
  
  
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==Chemicals==
 
  
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Oil … New, liquid vegetable oil, typically rape seed or sunflower oil.
 
  
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Methanol … available in small quantities from various chemical suppliers and on line auction sites.  Methanol is available in various purities.  Biodiesel requires Methanol at least  96% pure but preferably 98% which is quite widely available.
 
  
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Sodium Hydroxide … often referred to as Caustic Soda or lye.  This is available from many hardware stores, sold to unblock drains.
 
  
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Water … available from most taps!
 
  
  
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Equipment
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==Vents on a GL type processor==
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[[File:GL processor with vent path in red.png|400px|thumb|right|Vented path for processor shown in red.]]
  
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An old saucepan.
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Whilst it's possible to vent a [[Processor - with methanol condenser (GL design)|GL]]  type processor, direct from the tank, it is more ecologically beneficial to install the vent on the vapour line, after the [[Plumbers delight condenser|condenser]], highlighted in red. This way any methanol fumes that are released during the reaction, or in the de-meth stage, will get condensed off and collected instead of being released to atmosphere.
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A large pop bottle (we’ll assume 1 litre for the purpose of this page)
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A measuring jug or some other container marked in millilitres.
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[[File:Fan and circuit dia.png|150px|thumb|left]]
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A stove or hot plate, preferably electric.
 
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A thermometer reading to at least 100°C
 
  
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Because the vent is on the vapour circuit, one of the most commonly asked questions is why doesn't the [[venturi]] blow vapour from the vent. The answer is best described by the diagram below where the fan is located in a chamber. It blows the same volume of air out of the chamber to the left, as it sucks in from the right, so it creates a circulation. There is no vacuum or pressure in the circuit, therefore no air sucks in through, or blows out of, the vent.
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The theory is exactly the same in the processor, except in place of a fan you have a venturi (far safer as there are no moving parts). The only time air will come out of the vent is when you add oil or methoxide to the processor or when the oil and air expand whilst heated. Similarly when you drain [[glycerol]] or pump out the finished biodiesel, the vent will suck air back in.
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Safety
 
  
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Method
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On any vent arrangement, the safest material to use is rigid pipe, preferably metal.  Soft flexible pipe work can kink or be flattened by things leaning against it and are also susceptible to the effects of heat, compounding other issues.
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Testing
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==Consequences==
  
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If the vent becomes blocked a build up of positive or negative pressure can occur.  This will have sever effects on the most vulnerable part of the system, namely the reactor tank.
  
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===Negative pressure===
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As seen in these pictures, negative pressure can cause the reactor to implode.  This is due to the atmospheric pressure on the out side of the tank pushing inwards.
  
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<gallery caption="This is a steel, cone bottomed drum" widths="250px" heights="200px" perrow="3">
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File:Collapsed processor 1.jpg|Reactor still with insulation on.
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File:Imploded-reactor-3.jpg|With the insulation removed you can see just how damaged it is.
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File:Imploded-reactor-2.jpg|This is the inside viewed from above.
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These photos were supplied by BassAddict, who had used flexible hose for his vent which had a small restriction in it.  The negative pressure created when the biodiesel was pumped out collapsed the pipe, sealing the vent.
  
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This is why we advocate using rigid pipe for the vents.
  
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===Positive pressure===
  
  
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The most likely way to produce positive pressure in a GL is by pumping oil into it with a closed vent, although in most cases it is unlikely the pump will produce enough pressure to cause a problem.
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Quoted text here.
 
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However, if a reactor full of cold oil was heated with a closed vent this could build up a surprising amount of pressure.
  
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==heading==
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It is possible the the reactor or pipework could rupture, but an explosion is highly unlikely in this scenario.
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==heading b==
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[[Category:Biodiesel]]
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[[Category:Processors and equipment]]
  
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This page is a collaboration between Julian and Mark.
  
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[[User:Mark|Mark]] 22:20, 3 February 2013 (UTC)

Latest revision as of 23:40, 28 February 2013

Introduction

It is imperative that all biodiesel processors be vented safely to atmosphere via an un-valved pipe. All the processor designs shown on this wiki are vented.

A vent will not mitigate an explosion. The generation of gas in an explosion is far too rapid for the vent to cope.

The vent is designed to allow air to be displaced when filling with oil, adding methoxide or to be entrained into the processor when pumping out finished biodiesel. It will also allow the contents to safely expand and contract when heating and cooling.



Simple vents

Vented path direct from processor tank shown in red.

On a processor without methanol recovery i.e. no vapour circuit, the vent can be a simple small bore pipe with no valves from the ullage space of the processor, leading outside and terminating safely as far away from human contact as possible.

On the Appleseed processor, right, there is an additional vent which incorporates a relief valve which would operate in the event of the main vent becoming blocked.
















Vents on a GL type processor

Vented path for processor shown in red.

Whilst it's possible to vent a GL type processor, direct from the tank, it is more ecologically beneficial to install the vent on the vapour line, after the condenser, highlighted in red. This way any methanol fumes that are released during the reaction, or in the de-meth stage, will get condensed off and collected instead of being released to atmosphere.

Fan and circuit dia.png

Because the vent is on the vapour circuit, one of the most commonly asked questions is why doesn't the venturi blow vapour from the vent. The answer is best described by the diagram below where the fan is located in a chamber. It blows the same volume of air out of the chamber to the left, as it sucks in from the right, so it creates a circulation. There is no vacuum or pressure in the circuit, therefore no air sucks in through, or blows out of, the vent. The theory is exactly the same in the processor, except in place of a fan you have a venturi (far safer as there are no moving parts). The only time air will come out of the vent is when you add oil or methoxide to the processor or when the oil and air expand whilst heated. Similarly when you drain glycerol or pump out the finished biodiesel, the vent will suck air back in.


On any vent arrangement, the safest material to use is rigid pipe, preferably metal. Soft flexible pipe work can kink or be flattened by things leaning against it and are also susceptible to the effects of heat, compounding other issues.




Consequences

If the vent becomes blocked a build up of positive or negative pressure can occur. This will have sever effects on the most vulnerable part of the system, namely the reactor tank.

Negative pressure

As seen in these pictures, negative pressure can cause the reactor to implode. This is due to the atmospheric pressure on the out side of the tank pushing inwards.

  • This is a steel, cone bottomed drum

  • Reactor still with insulation on.

  • With the insulation removed you can see just how damaged it is.

  • This is the inside viewed from above.

These photos were supplied by BassAddict, who had used flexible hose for his vent which had a small restriction in it. The negative pressure created when the biodiesel was pumped out collapsed the pipe, sealing the vent.

This is why we advocate using rigid pipe for the vents.


Positive pressure

The most likely way to produce positive pressure in a GL is by pumping oil into it with a closed vent, although in most cases it is unlikely the pump will produce enough pressure to cause a problem.

However, if a reactor full of cold oil was heated with a closed vent this could build up a surprising amount of pressure.

It is possible the the reactor or pipework could rupture, but an explosion is highly unlikely in this scenario.

This page is a collaboration between Julian and Mark.

Mark 22:20, 3 February 2013 (UTC)

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