In order to help hasten production I was wondering if after the meth/lye has been circulated into the heated WVO if it would ruin the fuel if I were to pump the non-settled BD to another drum to settle for 12 hours before draining off the glycerine. If not, I could start another batch in the processor immediately and not have to wait for the settling to occur. My reservation is that this will hasten the cooling process and ruin the settling.

What do you think??

Is there a specific temp for the settling process to work, or work better?

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks!
Sean

I've been thinking of doing the same thing. I think it might help in ensuring that no glycerin is left in my processor to mess up my next batch.

You should maintain the temperature and mixing of the WVO and meth/lye for 1-3hrs, or until a 3/27 test comes out as a pass (barring any of the test limitations), indicating the reaction is done.

Once the reaction is complete, you can freely transfer it to another settling drum to open up the processor, and this is exactly what I do. Keep in mind though, if you use NaOH, you risk the glycerin solidifying if it cools too much. I use KOH, so I can let it sit and settle as long as I feel like without worry.

Excellent!
So, once the reaction is done the cool down time becomes a non-factor??

And yes I do use NaOh, so I will be careful with the glycerine.

Thanks! Sean

Well..

I do it every batch.

I have a 55 gal drum with about a 15 gallon cone on the bottom.

So, I'm pulling my fuel to was from WAY up at about 18 to 20 gallon mark.

What I do... I mix in my methanol mixture (about 20 minutes) and I also mix another 90 to 120 minutes AFTER that.

Fuel goes directly into the settling tank and I start the next batch.

I pull the real ugly glycerin off after just half an hour or so when it's still hot. I don't pull the fuel to wash (remember, it's almost a whole batch ABOVE the glycerin drain) till overnight.

Passes 3/27 test.. and lets me make the next batch with a tank that is already warm. Picks up the pace on the second batch.

JP

I have advocated the use of a seperate settling tank for a long time. Once the rezction is done, you then transfer the lot to the settlonmg tank and you are good to go onto a second batch, which is exactly what I did yesterday.
This has been standard practice for me for at least two years now. The settling tank is equipped with a standpipe to allow glycerine to drop below it's outlet port so the biodiesel can be drained from the top and the glyc drained via the floor drain later.
No matter the washing method you use this will help keep glycerine out of your wash cycle.

I used Murphy's plans for my whole set up. In it is a cone bottom 110 gallon settle tower. It works great. The cubies fit under the drain valve and I rigged clear plastic tubing to channel the bio from the settle tower into the wash barrels with the turn of a valve.

The only problem is I need another one. One more settle tower and one more wash barrel and I believe I might be able to quell the bigger better badder syndrome which I suffer.