We are using the Dr. Pepper method with new vegetable oil. A chemist that we talked to suggested using Everclear in the place of Heet. We tried using the standard 4.0g NaOH and no reaction occured (after mixing there was no separation), we tried 4.5g,5.0g, & 5.5g and still didn't get a reaction. Is there a different formula when using something other than Heet?

EverClear is ethanol not methanol.

And it has a lot of water in it.

its normally 190proof or 95% pure..but its ethanol not methanol. it would work for titration but isopropyl is cheaper.

-dkenny

Heck I can't remember anything about the last time I used Everclear.

So, if it's ethanol will it not work? I have a gallon of pure methanol to try but after the last trial we want to make sure we don't waste anymore time and product. Does the reciepe change?

quote:

So, if it's ethanol will it not work?

I can't get everclear higher than 173 proof. What's yours? Any more than about 2% water makes ethanol almost impossible to use (for biodiesel. )

I'm not sure actually, I just bought it from the liquor store. If we switch to the pure methonal using new oil how many grams of NaOH should I add to my 250mL?

quote:

Originally posted by celinabland:
So, if it's ethanol will it not work? I have a gallon of pure methanol to try but after the last trial we want to make sure we don't waste anymore time and product. Does the reciepe change?

Celina, the recipe is quite different with ethanol than it is for methanol, and it's generally harder to get a reaction. Also, if you don't know the purity of the ethanol, then that really makes things difficult. Stick with the methanol.

$3 a pint for everclear .. $4 a gallon for methanol ... doesnt make sense to use the everclear to me

Trc

Well again, it was a suggestion from a chemist and we'd thought at least it was worth a try. If nothing else we got a good buzz on that night, lol. We can get a good deal on 55-gal drum of straight methanol. So is the reciepe the same using methanol as it is for heet?

Heet is methanol .. 99.5% pure, For test batches it is recomended to get that instead of getting a barrel of methanol right off the bat. Bottle of Heet at walmart .. $4 .. barrel of methanol where ever ya can find it $175 - $350 a barrel. Just for test batches starting out .. easier to find and cheaper total (tho not per gallon).

Trc

quote:

Bottle of Heet at walmart .. $4

$4?
Is the heet bottle at wal mart bigger than the one at advance auto parts?
I just started working at one, and the bottle of heet is $1.88...

In case there is any confusion, YELLOW bottle Heet is methanol.

Berny .. I dont know ive not priced Heet out at anyplace. but I know it couldnt be over $4 a bottle.

Trc

Wow, thank you...
You got me scared for a moment.

Just to make it clear, both Heet (yellow bottle) and IsoHeet (red bottle) are $1.88 at Advance Auto Parts.

Obviously, that's still way too expensive for production, but I find it adequate for the first test batches.

Sorry, I went to work today, and realized I made a mistake. My apologies to all.

Heet (yellow bottle) is $1.44.
IsoHeet (red bottle) is $1.88.
In both cases, they're 12 oz bottles. If somebody knows of a place where they'd sell bigger bottles, please post it.

Okay, I got a gallon jug of Methanol (ACS Grade) If I used new vege oil do I use the standard 4g of NaOH per 250ml of methanol?

For virgin oil you would use your base amount, the titration is to find out how much above base you need to use with waste oil. Most here say that need 5g/l NaOH as base amount. I have found I need 5.5g/l as base. There are a few that say even 6g/l.

Trc

Thanks for the help. We'll try it out and see if it works.