>I finally took the step of making a test batch of biodiesel. At least I >have attempted to mix teh methoxide. I bought a bottle of HEET gas line >antifreeze which is reportedly of a high enough purity to use, and a jar >of red devil lye. I mixed about 7 grams of lye to a bit better than 300Ml >of Methanol. How long before I have useable methoxide? IO tried looking >at Keith's site, but apparently its down tonight or else my browser is >having trouble recognizing it. Can you all help me? Thanks! >J.D.
Hello J.D. Our site was down, it's back now, sorry. See: Mixing the methoxide http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make2.html#methmix ... and also I think other sections at the "Make your own biodiesel" pages. The full ToC is below. Couple of questions though. Are you using virgin oil for your first test batch? What quantity? If not virgin oil, what oil? (Best to start with virgin oil.) These measures seem strange: >of red devil lye. I mixed about 7 grams of lye to a bit better than 300Ml >of Methanol. 7 grams of lye would either be for two litres of virgin oil or for one litre of WVO titrating at 3.5ml. How did you weigh the lye? Two litres of virgin oil would take 400 ml of methanol, one litre of WVO would take 200 ml of methanol. Could you explain? These don't bode well J.D.: "about", "a bit better than". It really pays to try to be as precise and meticulous as possible, especially at the beginning. Later when you're more experienced and have a feel for it you'll know which short-cuts you can take wihout risk, or too much risk. At the beginning you're dealing with unknowns. If it doesn't work out as expected, knowing that you've done your best to be precise with measurements and process control will be a great help in trying to figure out what went wrong. Otherwise you'll be faced with too many variables and you'll flounder. Best Keith Make your own biodiesel http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html Three choices 1. Mixing it 2. Straight vegetable oil 3. Biodiesel Biodiesel Where do I start? What's next? The process Our first biodiesel Biodiesel from new oil Biodiesel from waste oil Washing Using biodiesel Safety How much methanol? Ethyl esters -- making ethanol biodiesel Reclaiming excess methanol More about lye How much lye to use? Basic titration Better titration Accurate measurements pH meters Phenolphthalein High FFA levels Deacidifying WVO No titration? The basic lye quantity -- 3.5 grams? Mixing the methoxide Test batches Stock methoxide solution How much glycerine? Why isn't it solid? PET bottle mixers Viscosity testing How the process works What are Free Fatty Acids? Which method to use? Quality Quality testing Other uses Identifying plastics Separating glycerine/FFAs Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/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/
