Difference between revisions of "Processor - with methanol condenser (GL design)"
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(→State diagram for the Basic GL processor) |
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===State diagram for the Basic GL processor=== | ===State diagram for the Basic GL processor=== | ||
| + | This table tells you about the status of each valve, the heater and pump at various stages of the process. | ||
| + | |||
| + | State diagram: Green = valve open, pump running or heater on. | ||
<table border="2" bordercolor="#AAAAAA" style="background-color:#F9F9F9" width="800" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"> | <table border="2" bordercolor="#AAAAAA" style="background-color:#F9F9F9" width="800" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"> | ||
| Line 58: | Line 61: | ||
<td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| − | <td>Pre-filtered</td> | + | <td>Pre-filtered.</td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| Line 64: | Line 67: | ||
<td bgcolor=#84C326>50°C</td> | <td bgcolor=#84C326>50°C</td> | ||
<td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
| − | |||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
| + | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
| − | <td | + | <td></td> |
| − | <td>Check level before applying heat</td> | + | <td>Check level before applying heat.</td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td>Dewater oil</td> | <td>Dewater oil</td> | ||
| − | <td>90°C</td> | + | <td bgcolor=#84C326>90°C</td> |
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| − | <td></td> | + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> |
| − | <td | + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> |
| − | + | <td>Switch to 50°C when O/P slows.</td> | |
| − | |||
| − | <td>Switch to 50°C when O/P slows</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td>Cool oil</td> | <td>Cool oil</td> | ||
<td>50°C</td> | <td>50°C</td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| − | <td></td> | + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> |
| − | <td | + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> |
| − | |||
| − | |||
<td>Titrate oil now. Empty collector.</td> | <td>Titrate oil now. Empty collector.</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
| Line 102: | Line 105: | ||
<td>Inject Methoxide</td> | <td>Inject Methoxide</td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326>Adj.</td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| − | <td | + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td>Allow 20 mins to inject.</td> | <td>Allow 20 mins to inject.</td> | ||
| Line 115: | Line 118: | ||
<td>Reaction Stage</td> | <td>Reaction Stage</td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| − | + | <td>Allow 90 mins at 50°C.</td> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | <td>Allow 90 mins at | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td>5% Prewash</td> | <td>5% Prewash</td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| − | + | <td>Mix 15 mins.</td> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | <td>Mix 15 mins</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| Line 147: | Line 150: | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| − | + | <td>Wait 90 mins.</td> | |
| − | <td>Wait 90 mins</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| Line 156: | Line 159: | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| − | + | <td>Drain slowly to avoid whirlpool.</td> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | <td>Drain slowly to avoid whirlpool</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td>Distil methanol</td> | <td>Distil methanol</td> | ||
| − | <td>90°C</td> | + | <td bgcolor=#84C326>90°C</td> |
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| − | <td></td> | + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> |
| − | <td | + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> |
| − | + | <td>Check level before applying heat.</td> | |
| − | |||
| − | <td>Check level before applying heat</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
| Line 181: | Line 184: | ||
<td>Drain Biodiesel</td> | <td>Drain Biodiesel</td> | ||
<td>Off</td> | <td>Off</td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| + | <td bgcolor=#84C326>Adj.</td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
<td></td> | <td></td> | ||
| − | + | <td>Ensure heater is OFF first! Caution - Hot! Take sample and perform 23/7 test before discharging whole batch.</td> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | <td>Ensure heater is OFF first! Caution - Hot! | ||
| − | Take sample and perform 23/7 test before discharging whole batch.</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
</table> | </table> | ||
Revision as of 00:16, 13 December 2010
 This page is Work In Progress and therefore may not be complete.
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The GL Processor is a design by Graham Laming (hence the GL) and has probably become most popular processor design for homebrew biodiesel production in the UK. The processor features built in dewatering and Methanol recovery capabilities, as well as protection against user exposure to Methanol vapour. The design also lends itself to a variety of production techniques.
Basic design
The design has been in existence for many years. It has been supplemented and improved by various users during this time. Below is a schematic of Graham’s basic design (with sight glass added) along with instructions on its use, which are reproduced with kind permission from Graham. Although the design has been modified by others, Graham’s basic design is capable producing high quality Biodiesel and due to its simplicity of design is suitable for those new to home production.
This is a compact home made biodiesel processor which avoids water-washing and limits methanol release to very small amounts. You can also recover surplus Methanol from your biodiesel, which would otherwise be lost in the wash water.
You can de-water your oil in the processor and you can start to recover methanol from as low as 40 degrees C.
Here's a diagram of the system. It includes a simple venturi to recirculate vapour through a condenser. The venturi also sucks methoxide (or water, if you do the 5% prewash) from the methoxide container and mixes it into the oil flow.
Allow a straight horizontal run of around 30cm after the venturi outlet to ensure the venturi will perform properly. This is because the momentum of the out-flowing liquid acts to "pull" on the inlet vapour.
You can mount the Methoxide tank up, nearer the venturi, if your venturi's performance is marginal. Make sure it is not too high - you don't want to drop the container, spill the methoxide, or hurt your back.
State diagram for the Basic GL processor
This table tells you about the status of each valve, the heater and pump at various stages of the process.
State diagram: Green = valve open, pump running or heater on.
| Step | Heater | Pump | V1 | V2 | V3 | V4 | V5 | V6 | V7 | Notes |
| Oil in | Pre-filtered. | |||||||||
| Heat Oil | 50°C | Check level before applying heat. | ||||||||
| Dewater oil | 90°C | Switch to 50°C when O/P slows. | ||||||||
| Cool oil | 50°C | Titrate oil now. Empty collector. | ||||||||
| Inject Methoxide | Adj. | Allow 20 mins to inject. | ||||||||
| Reaction Stage | Allow 90 mins at 50°C. | |||||||||
| 5% Prewash | Mix 15 mins. | |||||||||
| Settle Glycerol | Wait 90 mins. | |||||||||
| Drain Glycerol | Drain slowly to avoid whirlpool. | |||||||||
| Distil methanol | 90°C | Check level before applying heat. | ||||||||
| Drain Biodiesel | Off | Adj. | Ensure heater is OFF first! Caution - Hot! Take sample and perform 23/7 test before discharging whole batch. |
