I have been drying my BD (24 gallons) for about two weeks at 70 degrees F. As it clarifies I am getting a milky sediment in the bottom of the tank about 1 inch deep. Is this normal? Do I merely decant the upper layer of BD or do I have soap settling out/incomplete reaction???

I washed the BD until the rinse water was clear (or very near clear) and the PH was 7. (4 times)

Titration was 7.2g NaOH /225 Ml of methanol per liter of oil, I heated to 135-140 degrees and circulated/reacted for 4 hours.

To date I have never been able to process a batch without some settling. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong .... still?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BAckyard Sheik:
I have been drying my BD (24 gallons) for about two weeks at 70 degrees F.
You lost me with your opening comment. Could you elaborate on this for me please. I don't understand how (method)your drying for 2 weeks @ 70 degrees. I dry a batch in about 1 hour by dropping in a 1000w heater, cranking up to 120 degrees with my bubbler blasting away in the bottom and everything comes out perfect.
Your also asking if this settling is normal...... I've never used the process your working with so I'm not sure.

Since it is averaging about 30 degrees outside, I brought the settling tank indoors and perched it over a heating vent/raditator. Although I did not measure the temp, it seems as though 2 weeks is more than enough to vent/evaporate the resudual water. The sediment concerns me. Do decant off the top or re-react the whole batch???

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BAckyard Sheik:
I have been drying my BD (24 gallons) for about two weeks at 70 degrees F.

I'm having the same problem. I have a 1500 watt heater mounted in my tank. I heat it to about 130 degrees. then let air bubble through it for up yo 4 hours. and it leaves a milky sediment in the bottom of the tank. I was wondering if I'm not washing it long enough or not getting a complete reaction.