I made my first test batch with WVO. During the settling of the by-product I noticed a thin layer of jello like substance on the top of the BD. I went ahead an washed the BD and the wash went fine third wash has clear water, and there is no sign of the glop on top. Is this good BD? Has anyone else had this happen? Should I be using less lye to prevent it, or is it just right?

The glop on top is soap- and yes, it does wash out.

If you use KOH you won't get the glop usually. ALso, what was the titration of the oil originally- the large amount of soap is caused by high free fatty acid content (ie high numbers on the titration- like over 4 or 5 or 6). Some soap is normal and you don't see it as a gel- that's what comes out when we wash as well. Using less catalyst might make the problem disappear but there'll be a trade-off for another problem that appears if you use too little catalyst- 'conversion' problems. At least the soap can be washed out.

KOH doesnt' make glop because it forms soap that is liquid rather than a gel/solid.

Also, some oils will tend to make a gel/solid soap - those oils are lard or other animal fat, hydrogenated oils, tropical oils like palm or coconut. Any oil that wants to be a solid or slush at room temperature will tend to make a more 'visible' gel as a soap.

The best solution is to find oil that's lower on the titration results.

you can order some KOH to play with, at http://www.braintan.com .

Mark

Thanks Mark,

My titration was 3.75 (DelTaco WVO) and I used 7.25 as my Red Devil Lye amount (3.75+3.5). My first two batches with SVO (Rapeseed) at 3.5 under-converted and I had washing problems.

I am glad to hear that what I have is good BioD, but I still need to refine my process. I'll order up some KOH and see how that works.

yep, you're up there with high FFA- 3.75 is still workable but it's making more soap than a better oil would. You'll need to wash more than you will if you can find some nicer oil. Basically, the more FFA, the more soap, no way around it.

good luck!
Mark