Thanks Alex. Do you think that backsplitting could be one of the problems? Or just excess lye ( I used 3.5g/l)
> -----Original Message----- > From: Aleksander <kac [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2001 7:29 AM > To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [biofuel] Re: Washing the biodiesel > > > Hi Mike > > > I'm struggling with the washing of the biodiesel. I get a low > return (50%) > > and a lot of creamy mayonnaise. > Do you get rid of the water before the reaction? Perhaps you use too > much lye. How much do you use? > Yield should be ~ 100% even by an inexperienced biofueler. I usually > get 105% after reaction and 103% after washing - I have a flat bottom > reactor, which doesn't quite help hold yield high. > > > During the processing I get a good glycerin drop (15%) using > Foolproof on > > used veggie oil. Everything looks good until the wash when I add > the > > vinegar and water to the biodiesel start the bubbling and watch the > mayo > > form. > Obviously there is too much lye in the biodiesel. The mayo is easily > mendable: keep adding strong (pickling) vinegar or a 10% citric acid > solution, until you see separation - while mixing slowly or bubbling > gently. This may kep yield low (95%), but it'll save most of your bio. > > > There is very little water in the processing and my understanding > is that > > any excess methanol or lye will wash out. Could the temperature of > my > > washing water or composition ( tap or faucet water from > municipality) be the > > cause? > Nuh. While the process is tricky, it's not that tricky! > Biodiesel is best washed with small water portions (25%) at lest > three times 10 hours, allowing settling times of 2 hrs before > draining. At least the first washing water should be acid (purchase a > set of pH paper to get an idea), settling after the final washing > stage should be 3 days minimum - up to 2 weeks. This eliminates the > hassle of reheating and saves a lot of energy. Petrodiesel fuel has > to settle for 3 weeks after it arives at a fuel depot, so waiting one > week is quite little when compared. > > Cheers, Aleks > > > > Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > Please do NOT send "unsubscribe" messages to the list address. > To unsubscribe, send an email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Small business owners... Tell us what you think! http://us.click.yahoo.com/vO1FAB/txzCAA/ySSFAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Please do NOT send "unsubscribe" messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
