This was certainly not my first attempt. I have made many test batches, and we made test batches in my class the previous week. And yes this was our first attempt making a 5 gallon batch. When I mixed the methoxide before we did it in blenders, before adding our oil. Yes, we used grease from restaurants- used oil. I personally don't consider virgin oil to be "grease". The problem I was having was how to mix larger quantities of methoxide. Not all of us can have a completely closed system immediately. We can do our best with what we have and what we can afford. That doesn't make us any less important.
It seems to me that this community could use a bit more respect of those that have less experience. I have read Tickell and read much on Journey to forever. When someone has a question it honestly doesn't help much to refer me to websites- I have seen this already. I checked the very same sites before posting my question (i wouldn't waste bandwidth). It was something I hadn't seen before, either personally, on the list, or on the web. I don't think responding with condescension to those who are less experienced really helps any of us. I was hoping that the list could be a source for those of us who have only been doing this a few months to trouble shoot. What I got was a bit insulting, with all due respect. i haven't really had any of my questions answered. How is that helpful? Noam ______ Hello Noam >Keith, > >We did NOT end up with biodiesel. The consistancy is close to that >of the original grease. I am unsure now what to do with the stuff. I >think I didn't mix the lye/methanol enough and something reacted >with the animal fat. What animal fat? Was this virgin oil or used oil? You say "grease", but I'm never quite sure what Americans mean when they say "grease". I'd assumed it was virgin oil, because it sounded like your first attempt. You did say you'd never seen the "weird gummy stuff" before, but it also seemed like you'd never mixed methoxide before. Though 5 gal is a bit much for a first attempt, 5 litres or even 1 would be better. If not virgin oil, how did you determine how much lye to use? Did you titrate the oil? Now I understand what you meant - I'd thought the gummy stuff appeared in the methoxide, which would have been a mystery, but it appeared after you added it to the oil. Yes, as Todd said, soap. What sort of processor did you use? How did you stir it? What temperature was it? How long did you agitate it for? How much methanol did you use? How much lye? >I don't know. Reprocess the failed batch as if it were new oil. See: Biodiesel from new oil http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html#biodnew Mix the methoxide as Todd suggests in his reply to you, as in the links I gave you previously: Methoxide the easy way http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_aleksnew.html#easymeth More here: Mixing the methoxide http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make2.html#methmix And more here: Adding the methoxide http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_processor5.html#methadd If reprocessing doesn't work then you have heavily used WVO (used oil) with a high Free Fatty Acid level and you'll either have to learn how to titrate it for an accurate lye quantity, or, better for newcomers, abandon it and get better oil - and STILL learn how to titrate it for accurate lye quantities. You can find out all about that and much more at the link I gave you previously: Make your own biodiesel http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html Check the links Noam. >I did the same experiment with my 6th period class and it seemed >turn out alright. I mixed methoxide in a plastic bucket with a mixer >and by hand. Use a closed container, see the links above and Todd's message. >I was scared of static electricity making a spark though and >igniting the whole thing. Is this a danger? Is the methanol less >volatile once you add the lye? Nope. Do it the Easy way. >thanks, > >Noam Gundle Best Keith >>Hello, >> >>I made a 5 gallon batch today, and had a few problems. I tried to >>mix the methanol/lye in blenders, and it didn't work. The seals of >>the blenders must be shot, because the methanol leaked out. So we >>mixed the methoxide by hand in a large beaker (all done in my fume >>hood). >> >>I added the lye in two batches, with half the methanol/lye in each. >>When I went to add the second batch, there was this weird gummy >>stuff floating on top. It looked like tofu curds, or congealed >>something. It was creamy brown and broke apart when I poked it. I >>hesitated to remove it because i worried about upsetting the >>balance of lye. I did take out one small piece to try to identify >>it. >> >>I have NEVER seen this before. Has anyone else? Any advice? >> >>Also, when I blended the methanol/lye, the container got very hot. >>I immediately stopped it because I was worried about explosions. It >>got hot when I mixed it by hand too. Is this normal? >> >>I would appreciate any help anyone feels like offering. >> >>thanks, >> >>Noam Gundle >>[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Hello Noam > >It does get hot, an exothermic reaction. Methoxide can be very >unkind to blender seals. Best to keep the blender for test batch >processing, mix the methoxide separately in an HDPE carboy or >something similar. > >Here's the best way to mix it: > >Methoxide the easy way >http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_aleksnew.html#easymeth > >More here: > >Mixing the methoxide >http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make2.html#methmix > >And more here: > >Adding the methoxide >http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_processor5.html#methadd >Simple 5-gallon processor: Journey to Forever > >See also: > >Make your own biodiesel >http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html > >I don't know what the gummy stuff might have been. > >Anyway, did you end up with biodiesel? > >Best > >Keith _______________ ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 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/
