I am in the WVO collecting mode, between batchs, but I was wondering what happens to BD when it is mixed with WVO and then reacted (again)? My guess is that the BD doesn't change and simply mixes with the freshly made BD from the reaction.

In the past I have emptied test tubes and small amounts from drip pails into my WVO containers, but I now have several 20 litre jugs of BD that I won't burn in my car. I was thinking of adding it at the same time as my glycerol prerinse. It had excess soap in it which has now settled out.

Any thoughts or comments?

TDI GUY,

Biodiesel mixed in with the WVO during the biodiesel reaction actually helps the reaction since the biodiesel acts as a co-solvent and acts as intramediary in the reaction kenetics.

This can actually reduce the amount of catalyst necessary for the reaction to complete nicely.
10% is a nice percentage after that it also can inhibit the reaction since it can get in the way (interference since the reaction happens on a homogenous bases randomly) and not allow the catalyst enough interaction with the WVO molecules...

The degree to which it improves the reaction would be a great series of experiments but I don't believe anyone has done this???

Does anybody know if this has been done yet - either here in the forums or at a university!!!???

GCG

Thanks, I will go with the 10% suggestion until I get rid of my sub-standard BD. I hopefully won't mess up enough batches to conduct a study...

It would be interesting to see if there were enough benifit to the reaction to justify keeping 10% of each batch to prime the next!

TDI,

I know people who after the glycerin settles for a while they take the biodiesel that usually remains on the top and throw that back into the next batch.

GCG