Guys,

Not only is Graham re-inventing the way we produce bio, he is answering all our enquiries about the GL one day etc and still trying to run a business. We should pay for him to go on holiday for all he has done for the community!

Graham, any chance of getting hold of the stuff that keeps you going? I thought I could burn the candle but you win hands down! BioGods beware! Graham is on your tail.

Jim

Nudge nudge nudge

Brilliant design, Graham.

I'm considering making my own biodiesel and had wondered if a HW cylinder was a feasible starting point!

I'm proficient at plumbing and electrics so shouldn't have too much trouble building one.

However, I'm a newbie..could someone please explain the operation of Graham's machine, ie what goes in/out of each particular tube and how the process proceeds?

Another question..I already have most of the parts I need, having ripped out my central heating system a year or so ago.

However, the cylinder is quite heavily scaled up.

Is there an easy way of removing this limescale or am I better off sourcing a new tank?

welcome to the forum Barry Mung

just follow the chart Graham has put up showing what position each valve is in for each part of the process.

http://www.graham-laming.com/bd/ecosystem/state_diagram_new.htm

peace n grease
Chug

Hi Graham,

A couple of questions.

1. Why did you go back to using the pump to mix the methoxide rather than the venturi?

2. In a recent post elsewhere, you said that you were experimenting with no longer doing a 5% prewash, but were using acid instead. I understand this is to increase the purity of methanol that is recovered. Could you describe the process again? Also, what modifications have you made so that the acid could easily be added to the processor?

Thanks for all of your great contributions.

Thanks Chug!

Presumably, the condenser and venturi are 'niceties' rather than 'must haves'? (Whilst I'm still learing about the process I don't want to build a system that is overcomplicated)

If I have got this right washing is done in another tank connected to the the "biodiesel out for filtering" tap?

I have had an idea (Being a newbie, feel free to shoot me down in flames..)

Most copper CH cylinders contain a heat exchanger coil. Couldn't this be used for heating the oil, rather than an immersion heater? After all, this is what the coil was intended for.

I imagine it'd possibly be safer and less prone to scorching the oil.

In addition, it'd give a more even heating effect owing to the thermal mass of the water inside, rather than the ON-OFF-ON effect you get with a normal immersion heater.

(There are quite a few electric water heaters that could be used to heat the water in the coil.)

Hi Barry,
If you use the GL system, IMO the best there is at the moment, the venturi and condenser are a must, they're not just pretty add on's they are the heart fo the whole method.
There's no washing, no filtering no waste just great Bio.

Jim.

quote:

Dave Calkins

Hi Graham,

A couple of questions.

1. Why did you go back to using the pump to mix the methoxide rather than the venturi?

2. In a recent post elsewhere, you said that you were experimenting with no longer doing a 5% prewash, but were using acid instead. I understand this is to increase the purity of methanol that is recovered. Could you describe the process again? Also, what modifications have you made so that the acid could easily be added to the processor?

Hi Dave - you can choose either to feed the methoxide to the pump inlet or the venturi inlet. Most folks seemed to prefer the pump inlet (though I prefer the venturi) so I kept it where most folks were happiest.

As to the acid wash, it works well, but I haven't quite done enough to finish the article on it. It seems to have a lot going for it, though.

----------------------------------------


Hi Barry,

For this process to work, the venturi and condenser are vital components - they are what bring it to life, keep the system sealed, remove methanol from biodiesel and provide the vapour movement for the condenser.

You can certainly use the secondary coil for heating.

Because the copper tank is mounted upside down (to benefit from better draining) the coil is up top, so the tank needs to be full for the coil to work properly.

Alternatively, you can use the wet-sump heater tube, which is scorch free and somewhat more efficient than the secondary coil system, and is never exposed to air.

Hi Jim,

I'm getting a little confuddled because earlier posts mention passing the BD on to a washing tank and later ones mention using the pump for mixing instead of the venturi.

(PS: I need all the bits I can lay my hands on..I hate spending out on new stuff when secondhand will do)

quote:

BioGods beware! Graham is on your tail.

I`d have to say he cycled past them, on the way up the mountain, some time ago. Of course he never noticed as his motivation was to

a)Make progress up the mountain
b)Enjoy the scenery and exercise
c)Enjoy relating the tales of his journey to likeminded interested parties

Rather than to chase or beat his forerunners.

And his story telling is second to none complete with diagrams, photos, videos, clear explanations and hyperlinked related notes.

Graham, please forgive my presumptions of motive and thank you for all you do here.

There is only one god (as you put it Ant) in the bio world and we all know him as GL, I never raised him to a deity, I named him Le Rois, The King.

Ill second that statement James......

I am the boy that makes much noice, plenty fuss, and loads of dust.....sorry, but I cant help it....

quote:

There is only one god (as you put it Ant) in the bio world and we all know him as GL, I never raised him to a deity

Jimspeedy rather than me. I have no gods as such. Just an awareness that humans are not the universal peak of creation and entities larger than us (mind wise) might be just a perceptual/conceptual leap away.

All around us in a way we could mistake for gods but just another level of existence in the totality of multiversal existence. It`s all been said many times before and with more eloquence and poetic imagery than I use. But most humans currently prefer anthropomorphic fantasies. Simpler and easier for our limited human minds to deal with.

Anyhows... as humans on the trail of better bio production go, Graham stands out for the volume and quality of his contributions. Plus an inherent integrity that shines through the things he does and says. I personally respect that as much or more than the contributions themselves.

A bump for a novice (me)

Having spent most of the winter reading about BD, Graham has me convinced that I can do this.

I need to wait for a little more warmer weather. Last week our temps here were -25*F. Add in the wind.....it hurts!!

I definitely know I'll be running my F-250 on Boi this summer, and then burning the UVO in a waste heater for the shop in the winter.

I've been reading this forum most of this winter and have been quite undecided of whether I could/should, tackle a project like the Appleseed, until I found a link to the UK forum.

In just this last week, I've learned more than I have in all the bits and pieces, I've read prior.....Graham and others, thank you sooo very much for that.

The first link that brought me here was the one for making a venturi. I've heard the term, but really didn't understand how it worked, now I do. Part of the decision to make this system was the tranfer of the methol mix to the processor. I've read all the dangers and it had me hesitant, but with the venturi....a sweet little invention.

One side note to Graham.....

You spoke and posted pictures on a link here...

http://www.graham-laming.com/bd/heater_no_siphon/index.html

And have an explaination on the flow of oil going through the "no siphon heater", but the video that is also posted mentions the oil entering in from the element attached end. Isn't this the opposite of your text?

Thank you again,

Doug

Oh, just in case some of you do not recognize the MN, I live in northern part of Minnesota, USA.

Just one more quick question....Is there a preferred vessel to use for the processor? I've looked at the hot water tanks, but do like the clean appearance of the coned 55 gallon barrels.