quote:

Originally posted by ReM:

quote:

Originally posted by Biotom:
ReM
-I understand, your reflux coumn returns the condensed methanol to the reaction so that makes sense to me now. I'm still not sure about the hight temp in that situation. I'm waiting to see what the biodisel chemist has to add on this subject, I will post his answer here. Tom

NO--

There is no need for a reflux column under about 77C--

ReM

Actually you do. I work in a full scale Biodiesel plant and around 70 degrees if there is no reflux and the reactor is closed off from atmosphere the pressure will begin to dramatically increase in the reactor until it blows the vent open, at which point Methanol will boil out the top vent. Methanol begins to boil for me around 63.1 degrees C. Naturally this changes on geographical location.