Well My Big day finally arrived after learning all I could from you guys. I sure appreciate all the info you have posted. I built a 68gal. conical processor, and 68 gal. wash/dry tank. I need some help. I prefiltered my WVO to 100 microns heated it to 135deg F. I titrated it 3 times 3.3 3.5 4.3 The 4.3 was the first so I figured it to have the highest error, and went with 3.5 using the online Matts Recipe Calculator gave me for 52gal WVO 20%Methanol=10.4gal and 2220 KOH at 90%. I mixed for 3hrs at 135 degF. I then added 5% water= 3 gals and mixed for 30 minutes (prewash I thought). I then transferred it to settle. I let it settle for 3 days undisturbed, because I was out of town. I have a batch of coffee with cream looking stuff, it has good thin viscosity. I drained about 15 gals. from the bottom of the cone and it all looked the same. No change in looks or viscosity. I then titrated some of the top oil where it turns immediate dark purple. I then did the 3/27 test and it is settling a light thick cream on the bottom for two batches. one 3/27 one 90/10. I don't know what to do next, and was hoping one of you pros could help me????

Do you know you oil is water-free? Through a long settling time, heating, something like that?

The methanol and KOH quantities seem right on (40g short on KOH from my calc's, but close), mix temp and time should me good.

In the future, it would be wiser to do the 3/27 BEFORE adding the 5% water pre-wash. The 5% water stops the reaction cold by consuming all the catalyst, and also prevents you from easily adding more methanol and catalyst to reprocess; don't add it until you are happy with the conversion.

Can you describe the "68gal. conical processor" better? Heating method, insulation, circulation method, tank material...

whatever caused your problem is going to be very difficult to diagnose now, kinda like putting a check in an enveloppe, putting a stamp, mailing the letter and then wondering if you remembered to sign the check (been there, done that). Cant offer you a real advice to remedy to your situation (heating everything up to get rid of water and methanol would require huge amount of time+energy), but I may be able to advice you for next time... Using an oil sample (500 ml) from the reactor + 100 ml of the methoxide you prepared and are ready to dump into the reactor, try to make a small batch of biodiesel. If it works, you are on the right path and one step closer to making biodiesel (still plenty of things can go wrong, but anyways). If the mini-batch does NOT react properly, you can try diagnosing the problem much easier than with a 50 gal batch. When you finally think you find the problem and its solution, try again on another mini-batch and if it works this time, voila !
good luck

My Oil is settled at the collection site,and stored for long periods by me (2-3 months) However this batch was in my truck (just collected) and I did not check for water, we live in the desert and it hasn't rained in along time. My processor is just like Mike Pelley's a 55gal steel drum with a 13 gallon cone welded on a stand with wheels. 2000 watt 115v heating element, 1" black plumbing, HF Pump, Thermal blanket insulation (1/2" metallic bubble wrap). Wash/Dry tank is the same with spray nozzle, and dual filters.

I'm going to try a 1 liter batch of that oil and see what it does, I still have some left. I think Mini is the only way for a beginner. I just didn't realize it is easy to mess up.

quote:

Originally posted by Rasrock:
I'm going to try a 1 liter batch of that oil and see what it does, I still have some left. I think Mini is the only way for a beginner. I just didn't realize it is easy to mess up.

try that and tell us what you get. If you use 1L and 200ml of methoxide, you should be getting about 200-240ml of glycering depending on your conversion yield. Once you have the results, report back.

oh... and one last thing... mini-batches are not just for beginners... They are for anyone who wants quality in the product they make.

I did my 1 liter batch, first I ran it up to 260F and it was making bubbles, not cracking and popping. I retitrated it after cooling, it was 2.5 g/l. I then used 200 methanol and 10.2g of KOH 90%. I shook it up and it turned like coke. This morning it separated nicely with a dark honey color and 1-1/2" black glycerol on the bottom. I am going to separate it and wash it for learning. Whaddya Think?? Thanks again for all your help and support. What should I do with the creamy mess? Is it safe for septic??? or composting??

Performed 3/27 and it disolved completely. I then did my wash test and it is separating nicely in 10-15 minutes. Wash water is milky and the Bio is honey colored. Washed 3 times, looks better.
I think my big batch had to have had some water, as it turned coffee/cream colored immediately, not the dark coke color that the 1 liter batch was. Is it salvageable or Junk? I tried to reprocess 250ml on the stove, with 10%
methanol and 7.7g/l KOH. It is settling now. No separaation after 1 hour.