Re: [biofuel] Methanol Recovery for Beginners -(2nd try)
Chris, What I am unsure of, and would like some advice on is what is a good way to do methanol recovery? and what is the preferred method of transfer from container to container? A thin film evaporator coupled to a condensor is the best method of recovery. A rough verbal description can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/message/30463 Something like this could easily be scaled up and modularized to match volumes of production. The heat source can be anything you choose. But the idea of a thin drip down an enclosed and heated tube is probably as inexpensive and simple as you're going to get. Off the shelf stuff. Better than a pot still. Preferential methods to move alcohol would be gravity and positive displacement using air pressure. Magnetic pump with a TEFC (totally enclosed fan cooled) motor at minimum would be my next choice. Method of agitation is your choice. Prop agitation is brainless. Use a TEFC motor and make sure your motor base is solid as a rock. Pump agitation is equally as mindless. A magnetic drive pump would ensure that you'd have no seal leaks. Again, make sure the pump motor is a TEFC enclosure. Plastic containers can be heated with suspended heat exchangers of whatever preference. You'll not want to go beyond 120*F and preferably only use tanks rated at 1.9 specific gravity. Higher temps and thinner tanks will warp sooner. Insulate heavily. Todd Swearingen - Original Message - From: Chris Jude [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 12:14 PM Subject: [biofuel] Methanol Recovery for Beginners -(2nd try) Howdy y'all, I sent this a week ago, but got no reply. Anyone have any ideas? I've been lurking about on this list and have a couple questions. I am forming a biodiesel co-op at my university (Appalachian State, NC) and this spring semester I plan to build a processor. I've made several 1L batches using Alex's 2-stage method. They seemed to turn out well. I've been working with a chemistry professor and will be able to continue working with him. I've studied biodiesel for a couple years now, but it seems that a lot of the info I know n processor's is a bit out dated now (fryer to the fuel tank era). I see that we need to be using closed processors and that methanol recovery is essential. I'm interested in building a processor to make about 80-100 gal a week off of wvo from the school. Last semester I welded a stand to hold a 100 gal hdpe container that could be covered to use as a processor. I understand that I will need a container to mix methoxide in, and a container to bubble wash and settle the biodiesel. What I am unsure of, and would like some advice on is what is a good way to do methanol recovery? and what is the preferred method of transfer from container to container? I am looking for salvaged or inexpensive materials, and a not too complex system. I do however have the help of several technology professors in my dept. What should I look for in a transfer pump? Is pump mixing preferrable, or should I use a mechanical stirrer? If using a plastic container, what is a good way to heat? I thank you for your help, and look forward to being a producing member of the list! Chris Jude ASU Biodiesel Club Boone, NC 1980 MB 240D - 350K miles _ - Do you Yahoo!? New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/index.php?list=biofuel Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/index.php?list=biofuel Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Sponsor -~-- Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/FGYolB/TM -~- Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
thin film evaporator for ethanol? [was - Re: [biofuel] Methanol Recovery for Beginners -(2nd try)]
Appal Energy said: A thin film evaporator coupled to a condensor is the best method of recovery. A rough verbal description can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/message/30463 Something like this could easily be scaled up and modularized to match volumes of production. Have any of you heard of a thin film evaporator being used for ethanol distilation, with a packed column? This seems like it could be a lot better method than a pot still, and better than just a packed column. Cheers, Dan -- Jack of all trades, master of none. Fiber Artist - Genealogist - Kilt Maker - Linux Geek - Piper - Woodworker http://www.xmission.com/~redbeard Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/index.php?list=biofuel Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Sponsor -~-- Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/FGYolB/TM -~- Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: thin film evaporator for ethanol? [was - Re: [biofuel] Methanol Recovery for Beginners -(2nd try)]
Me thinks that's a question befitting the Revenuer. - Original Message - From: Dan Maker [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 3:25 AM Subject: thin film evaporator for ethanol? [was - Re: [biofuel] Methanol Recovery for Beginners -(2nd try)] Appal Energy said: A thin film evaporator coupled to a condensor is the best method of recovery. A rough verbal description can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/message/30463 Something like this could easily be scaled up and modularized to match volumes of production. Have any of you heard of a thin film evaporator being used for ethanol distilation, with a packed column? This seems like it could be a lot better method than a pot still, and better than just a packed column. Cheers, Dan -- Jack of all trades, master of none. Fiber Artist - Genealogist - Kilt Maker - Linux Geek - Piper - Woodworker http://www.xmission.com/~redbeard Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/index.php?list=biofuel Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/index.php?list=biofuel Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Sponsor -~-- Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/FGYolB/TM -~- Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[biofuel] Methanol Recovery for Beginners -(2nd try)
Howdy y'all, I sent this a week ago, but got no reply. Anyone have any ideas? I've been lurking about on this list and have a couple questions. I am forming a biodiesel co-op at my university (Appalachian State, NC) and this spring semester I plan to build a processor. I've made several 1L batches using Alex's 2-stage method. They seemed to turn out well. I've been working with a chemistry professor and will be able to continue working with him. I've studied biodiesel for a couple years now, but it seems that a lot of the info I know n processor's is a bit out dated now (fryer to the fuel tank era). I see that we need to be using closed processors and that methanol recovery is essential. I'm interested in building a processor to make about 80-100 gal a week off of wvo from the school. Last semester I welded a stand to hold a 100 gal hdpe container that could be covered to use as a processor. I understand that I will need a container to mix methoxide in, and a container to bubble wash and settle the biodiesel. What I am unsure of, and would like some advice on is what is a good way to do methanol recovery? and what is the preferred method of transfer from container to container? I am looking for salvaged or inexpensive materials, and a not too complex system. I do however have the help of several technology professors in my dept. What should I look for in a transfer pump? Is pump mixing preferrable, or should I use a mechanical stirrer? If using a plastic container, what is a good way to heat? I thank you for your help, and look forward to being a producing member of the list! Chris Jude ASU Biodiesel Club Boone, NC 1980 MB 240D - 350K miles _ - Do you Yahoo!? New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/index.php?list=biofuel Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biofuel/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
