BACKGROUND:
I have built a twyn tub 100 processor,bought 205l of methanol,fresh naoh,collected some wvo and set off on my journey of saving the planet!After a successful mini batch and 75l batch i bought 1000l of wvo.It titrates at 11 to 12.After two failed mini batches (it turned to the consistency of jelly) i read some of your forums and bought myself 2.5l 99% sulfuric acid.I followed the Alex Kax method (no titration)the wvo dropped to titration 4.5 but no glycerine dropout.Can anyone help me please? I am inexperienced at biodiesel and computers but i do have a lot of common sence and a healthy respect for chemicals

first it sound like your trying to follow Journey to forever..don't most the stuff there is out of date and/or WRONG..

read the sticky at the top of this forum...the acid/base recipes..

since you've already done the acid stage take a sample and proceed with the base stage...
keep the container close( loss of methanol will cause it to gell)

good luck


-dkenny

Thank you for your prompt reply.You are right, the mini batches were done in a bucket hence the evaporation of methanol.I will read and re-read the recipes.One question though please, after heating and stirring the acid base for one hour, is stirring alone ok until the titration drops?

Kind regards Happy towers

quote:

One question though please, after heating and stirring the acid base for one hour, is stirring alone ok until the titration drops?

do you mean stirring the acid stage for one hour?
the acid stage may take 12 hours to complete...

the base part of the process will take the normal 1-2 hours of time.

in a nutshell

titrate the oil
determine the amount of acid needed -> (titration - 3) * 0.2ml = ml of H2SO4 needed per liter
determine what's 12% of the oil volume-> this is the acid stage methanol volume
heat the oil
add the methanol/acid
mix for hours -> the titration will stop dropping when its done
use the last titration to determine the amount of caustic needed for the base reaction.
use either 5g + titration for NaOH or 8g + titration for KOH
determine 8% of the oil volume for the methanol
mix the methanol and caustic
add the methanol/caustic to the oil.
mix for 1 -2 hours. in a covered but vented container to prevent methanol evaporation and pressure build up.

settle



good luck

dkenny

Thank you for your time and advice, i will keep experimenting and reading.regards happy towers

UPDATE:
Today i processed 100 litres of 3.5 titrating wvo ( having dropped the titration from 11,5).I added (20 litres of methanol and 700 grammes of naoh) methoxide ,temp of 50c mixed by hand for one hour.I took a sample at the end of mixing and there is a very clear drop out occuring.I feel quietly confident that i have begun my path of successful acid/base conversion. I know that i can expect the odd problem along the way but without the help of dkenny and the other members i would be stuck.

THANKS TO ALL, happy towers

Happy towers,

please use the 27/3 test to determine quality..having glycerine drop out doesn't mean it good fuel. of course it also depends on what your making the fuel for.. some engine will burn anything.. others will not..

with that said.. if the you've done a base stage and it fails.this is easy to fix just reprocess..
use about 1g of NaOH per liter and 50ml of methanol per liter.

drain most or all of glycerine before reprocessing.


last

glad to help..
I had many people help me when I started and acid/base -> forget it, but now its easy.

happy BD making

-dkenny

dkenney,

i bubble washed in total for about 24 hours until the water ran clear.I dried it by spraying through a nozzle and heating to 40c. As you suggested i performed the 3/27 test strictly adhering to the 68f temp,what do you know, clear as a bell.I am delighted.

In my previous post i said 20 litres of methanol it was only 8 because 12 went in the acid stage,i think i got over excited with my first success!!

regards happy towers

Happy towers,

congrates...be excited many BD makes don't even try acid/base processing..

the 27/3 test can be done after the base stage and before washing...that way if it fails you'll just need to reprocess but not wash and dry.

-dkenny

dkenney

It is tips like this that make all the difference to a smooth journey on my biodiesel path.

I am going to wait a few days and then try to replicate all these steps again,i do not want to get carried away with excitement but also i think that it is important to keep going forward.

Kind regards happy towers

Try swapping the methanol volumes around, 8 litres in the acid stage, 12 in the base stage.

More methanol in the base stage makes for lower temp mixing of the catalyst and 8 in the first stage is more than enough.

Matt

Matt

Thanks for the reply, i am a complete novice my biodiesel career only consists of 120 litres success and 20 litres failure to date. I really appreciate any tips but i dare not change even one thing at the moment, just in case i go wrong!! However once i have even a little experience i might be brave enough to change something

Regards Happy towers

FURTHER UPDATE:

100litres of WVO,

Titration of 10

Heated to 50c,added (12litres methanol 160ml of 99% sulphuric acid mixed).Mixed for about 6 hours i think.

Titration dropped to 4,5.

Next day added methoxide (8 litres methanol and 800 grammes of naoh)

Left overnight then drained and bubble washed.

Passed the 3/27 test with flying colours

Dried by heating and spraying through a spray nozzle.

VERY EXCITED: my running total stands at 220 litres total production!!

ONE QUESTION: I tested the ph of the dried fuel it was ever so slightly acid,is the normal?

HAPPY TOWERS