Jim,
I appreciate the reply.
I am getting some of the antimicrobial stuff you suggested. Until then
I'm experimenting. I have found that a very small amount of the sediment
added to 250ml of clear BD ----> cloudy BD w. increasing sediment. This is
what makes me reasonably certain I have a microbe.
This morning I heated a 10L sample of the "contaminated" BD to 125F
(drying temp.) and another 10L sample to 150F. If sediment from these
samples does not "grow" in clear, uncontaminated BD, then I will assume that
the contaminant is killed/deactivated by these temps. I'll forego using the
"biocide" unless the problem rears its ugly head in my car or heating
system. I'll also be able to decontaminate my wash tank w. boiling water.
Good day to you,
Tom
----- Original Message -----
From: "JJJN" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <Biofuel@sustainablelists.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2006 10:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Microbes in BD
> Tom,
> Fungus is common in any regular diesel fuel and can be in any biofuel as
> well. It is not bad other than you will plug filters much faster and it
> can cause corrosion if it is the right type. Nothing is safe if it is
> not 100% dry (free water that is). All parts stores sell an anti fungal
> additive and its also an anti oxidant. If you store the bio for long
> periods ( like winter) then you might consider adding it to your stored
> fuel. It is not real expensive if used as directed.
>
> Keep in mind that after it is added to Biodiesel, the Biodiesel is no
> longer biodegradable and non toxic to the same degree that it was. So
> for this reason I like to add it to the truck not the freshly made stuff
> that I will use in a week or two.
>
> I don't know if fuel makers treat Diesel with it at the refinery or not,
> I wouldst think they would with the spill hazards it creates. ( It is
> toxic to fish in very small quantities)
>
> Any one got a good way of disinfecting a reactor ??
>
> The best of luck!
>
> Jim
>
> Thomas Kelly wrote:
>
>> Hello All,
>> I suspect I have microbes in my recent batches of BD.
>> After washing, I drained the BD and allowed it to settle. After a few
>> days I noticed a whispy sediment on the bottom of the containers of
>> fuel. I gave the batch another wash and cleaned my 5 gal. settling
>> containers. The wash water was clear, but again the whispy sediment
>> appeared after a few days.
>> My next batch seemed to wash very well, but again, a whispy
>> sediment can be observed after the BD is drained and allowed to settle.
>> I brought a sample of the sediment to a local high school. We
>> prepared a stained slide and observed a multitude of tiny
>> uniformly-shaped spheres at 400X.
>> I put 1 drop of the sediment in a glass jar w. 250ml of clear,
>> uncontaminated BD and put 250ml of the same clear BD in an identical
>> glass jar (control). Less than 24 hrs. later the "innoculated" jar is
>> slightly cloudy w. a very fine sediment on the bottom and the control
>> jar continues to be clear.
>> - I started using WVO that includes some tallow. I noticed a
>> post from JJN on 3/17/06 Re: Tallow:
>> "I am treating all my bio with both an anti fungal and anti oxidant
>> treatment since I use tallow alot."
>>
>> 1. Any thoughts/similar experience?
>> 2. If it's microbes of some sort, should I treat the fuel w. a
>> diesel anti-microbial and then filter it?
>> Will a 10 micron filter remove these critters?
>> 3 . If microbes are present, do I have to be concerned w.
>> metabolic byproducts screwing up the fuel?
>>
>> 4. If not microbes, what's the whispy stuff?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Tom
>>
>>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
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>>
>
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