After burning up several 30 and less micron filters, I have decided to not use Mag but to a/e then water wash the 2-3 titration oil. My question is; how long do you have to wait for Magnesol to settle out before you can begin using it? Any one done this? Thanks.

Dave:
I use magnesol for all my fuel and love it over anything else. I move all my fuel and oil with a cheap vacum pump from Habor Feight and an air compressor.

Once my fuel is reacted, I pressure it into a $94.00 100 gallon metal stock tank (my batches are 75 gallons), which is open and elevated. Then I use a cheap pump to circulate and demeth the fuel. It usually takes about 6 hours to demeth and once the methanol is gone, the residual glycerin and soap falls to the bottom. I usually let this settle for a couple of days.

I gravity drain it through sock filters into a temporary holding tank, clean the stock tank, and pressure the demethed fuel back into the tank. I mix my Magnesol for about 2 hours with a mechanical stirrer (no pumping at all). I let this settle a minimum of 24 hours, but usually 2 days to a week depending on my fuel needs. I then gravity flow it back through the socks and pressure it through 1 micron nominal filter sock (in a filter housing) into my storage tank. When I need fuel I run it back through the housing with a 1 micron absolute sock.

I have yet to replace the nominal sock, and have run about 800 gallons through it.

I love magnesol due to ease of use, cost, and lack of wash water to get rid of.

Pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2...s/72157612833699193/

Great post fellow. I should have demethed after settling, yes, I do have to hook up the condenser. I just got my 80 gal appleseed built last week. Will take note of your post and I thank you for it.

Biofuel1 in North Carolina

David

Hi Dave,
It took me a long time to get things working smoothly. Since I was dedicated to making biodiesel and to having as little waste as possible to dispose of, I went ahead and bought a bag filter from Fryer to Fuel - http://www.fryer-to-fuel.com/store/product37.html

That was the best money I ever spent.

One thing that is very important: Demeth BEFORE settling. I think the methanol keeps the soap and residual glycerin disolved. Once you get the fuel demethed you will see a marked gain in clarity. One thing I did not mention is that using the settling process allows me to use very low rates of Magnesol - usually 2g/L.

I admit I am not soap testing yet, but I can read print through a 50 ml beaker after using this Magnesol rate.

If there is anything else I can help you with / pictures etc, just let me know.

Knot!

Yep, I have to hook up my condenser I bought about a week ago. It's from an old refrigeration system. I think I did have too much methanol in my unwashed bio. I noticed when looking at it up close it did tend to burn the eyes a bit, and I think this is methanol. SO I am slowly working on a water wash. I may just let it settle for a week then burn it. Anyhow, thanks for that link.

Biofuel1 in North Carolina

David