Unexpected result making a 'dr pepper' batch. When I poured the methoxide mix into the oil a quantity of it spewed out of the bottle unexpectedly. Any idea why it seem to react this way?

I went ahead and completed pouring it in - seems to be 'settling' as expected.

I used Drano Kitchen crystals, because ingredients said 'contains sodium hydroxide'. No I see there may be small metal bits in it. Was this the wrong catalyst?

Your oil temp was greater than 64 degrees C (146F?) causing the methoxide mix to boil on contact and spew out?

Thanks. The temp might have been too high.

quote:

Originally posted by SCBiodiesel:
I used Drano Kitchen crystals, because ingredients said 'contains sodium hydroxide'. No I see there may be small metal bits in it. Was this the wrong catalyst?

If the "catalyst" you chose is anything but pure sodium hydroxide, don't use for biodiesel production. I'm not sure why the additives are in there, as I don't know what they are, but one can assume they contribute to a secondary chemical reaction. Is there a contents list?

I read the precautions for the product on the Drano site. The reaction with water described there is notably more violent then the one I've observed with NaOH, so perhaps they are including some compound that reacts with NaOH to form a gas (for agitation purposes).

Package merely states 'some sodium hydroxide' and contains no phosphorous. I am going to find a different brand. Searched for some Roebic today but did not find any.

I manage software engineers for a living and don't really know what I am doing with this

quote:

Originally posted by SCBiodiesel:
I manage software engineers for a living and don't really know what I am doing with this

Since you're smart enough to report finding and ask questions, I'm sure you'll have no trouble mastering Bio.

Made another liter with Roebic. No spewing! It appears to be working, definitely settling. Thanks for all the great info!