Flash Point, PMCC: Result: 268.4 Limit:199Fmin

Water, Suspended by KF: Result 1554.84 report in ppm

Total Glycerin: Result: 0.191 Limit 0.240 max (% mass)
Monoglycerides: Results: 0.098
Diglycerides: Results: 0.051
Triglycerides: Results: 0.035

Free Glycerin: Results: 0.007 Limit: 0.02 max (% mass)

Acid Number: Results: 0.14 Limit: 0.50 mg KOH/gm

Sulfated Ash: Result: 0.010 Limit: 0.020 max

Comments:Entrained water exceeded 1500ppm


Does everything look good? The water test has me confused. I'm using GL's 1 day process. Where is the water coming from? I ordered the deluxe testing from utahbd, and this was the note about the water test.
NOTE: This test packages uses a different method to find water content (D 6304). The Karl Fisher test will find TOTAL water content & not just FREE water

Mike,

Nice Job!

All the other results look great.

The water you have comes from the soap making side reaction. (And/or water already in your oil, methanol and catlyst.) I don't really know the limits of what is an acceptable water content in terms of PPM. It does seem a bit high though.

Hi Mike

Thanks for posting those results.

What was your titration?
Did you do the 5% prewash?

Was your biodiesel stored in an open top container? I'm thinking if the biodiesel was cold, and had humid air over it, maybe there was condensation?

Thanks for the replies.

Batch titrated around 3.1 NaOH.
I do not do a 5% prewash.

The biodiesel is stored in an open top 30 gal drum in my shop. Where it is air bubbled to remove the last traces of methanol.

It has been raining a lot. Is it possible that pumping humid air in through the bubbler caused it? Would keeping the biodiesel warm through the bubbling prevent it?

Hi Mike

I'd guess it is the humidity affecting water content.

Biodiesel is slightly hygroscopic.

Keeping the biodiesel a few degrees above ambient air temperature should help to reduce its tendency to absorb moisture. Then seal the container after methanol and soap removal.

It can hold around 1ml water in solution, per litre of biodiesel.

Hope that helps,

GL

MikeH,
1554 ppm is 0.15%. Wouldn't that qualify as trace amounts? What equipment did you use to bubble air through the batch. If you didn't drain your compressor it is possible to to have some accumulated water. When humid air is compressed water condenses out. There are drying cylinders available to remove moisture and humidity from air supplies.

ASTM standard for "Water and Sediment" is 0.050%, or 500 ppm water.

The natural solubility of water in biodiesel is about 0.150%, or 1500 ppm. Therefore, once you dry your biodiesel, then it is very important to keep it dry by limiting its contact with the air.

Biodiesel is hygroscopic.

what else can i use if i cannot find methynol

I use a diaphragm type air pump.

I think i'll order a water test kit and a drum heater and do some experimenting