We've been using KOH as standard for some time now, for similar reasons (though we're not interested in fertilizers), and a couple of others too. One is that it dissolves in methanol much more easily than NaOH, and it doesn't "clump". "Methoxide the easy way" is very quick with KOH: http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_aleksnew.html#easymeth
Best Keith >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >From: Joe Giacomini <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2003 11:19:29 -0600 >Subject: Re: [Biodiesel] Water in Biodiesel? > >I have successfully shifted to KOH as a catalyst and the reasons are >two fold the glycerin/ffa doesn't go solid even at moderately cold >temps and the wash water can be converted to a fertilizer. These >were recommendation by Todd Swearingen. The first reason was the >primary driver it was a real problem. > >Except from one of the key posts > >Straight off the Periodic Table of Elements, the molecular weight >of > >K (potassium) = 39.0983 >O (oxygen) = 15.9994 >H (hydrogen) = 1.00794 >Na (sodium) = 22.989768 > >K + O + H = 56.10564 >Na + O + H = 39.997108 > >That's a ratio of 1 gram NaOH to 1.40274 grams KOH. > >Using an assay value of 92% for anhydrous KOH flake, one would >substitute 1.52472 grams of KOH for each gram of NaOH. > >(1.0 divided by 0.92 x 1.40274) > >Or just use the ratio of 56:40 then divide .92. It's a little >less accurate, to the tune of ~3 grams for every 30 gallons of >oil. > >Should you ever need, the Periodic Table of Elements is at >www.chemicalelements.com and in many educational level Webster's >dictionaries under "elements," among numerous other places. > >Most soap making books also have the KOH to NaOH conversion >ratio, as saponification numbers are based upon KOH, which have >to be converted when making bar soaps. Perhaps the best >soapmaker's book on record is The Soapmaker's Companion by Susan >Miller Cavitch, which goes in depth into dozens of oil and >reaction aspects that every home brew biodieseler should know. > >Soap and biodiesel manufacture are kith and kin to each other. >Which may be the underlying reason as to why both are so popular. > >I know. All you asked for was the conversion factor for 92%. > >Just don't get me rolling on destructive wood distillation...... >:-) >Todd Swearingen ------------------------ 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/9bTolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuels at Journey to Forever http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html List messages are archived at the Info-Archive at NNYTech: http://archive.nnytech.net/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. 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/